The Naturalness of Belief: New Essays on Theisms Rationality

(Hardback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Despite its name, naturalism as a world-view turns out to be rather unnatural in its strict and more consistent form of materialism and determinism. This is why a number of naturalists opt for a broadened version that includes objective moral values, intrinsic human dignity, consciousness, beauty, personal agency, and the like. But in doing so, broad naturalism begins to look more like theism. As many strict naturalists recognize, broad naturalism must borrow from the metaphysical resources of a theistic world-view, in which such features are very natural, common sensical, and quite at home in a theistic framework. The Naturalness of Belief begins with a naturalistic philosophers own perspective of naturalism and naturalness. The remaining chapters take a multifaceted approach in showing theisms naturalness and greater explanatory power. They examine not only rational reasons for theisms ability to account for consciousness, intentionality, beauty, human dignity, free will, rationality, and knowledge; they also look at common sensical, existential, psychological, and cultural reasonsin addition to the insights of the cognitive science of religion.

Reviews

These fourteen original, cutting-edge essays are an admirable contribution to one of the most important questions of our time: is theism or naturalism the more natural, fitting worldview For anyone interested in that question, this book is a must-read. -- Stephen T. Davis, Claremont McKenna College
This fine new book on naturalism and theism offers new perspectives on this debate from a wide-ranging set of perspectives, ranging from morality to aesthetics to psychology and philosophy of mind. The essays are first-rate, and the arguments presented are powerful. This book ought to unsettle those who take a naturalistic worldview as somehow just a "common sense" view that is supported by science. Naturalism turns out to be a profoundly unnatural view of reality. -- C. Stephen Evans, Baylor University
This fresh collection of essays on the naturalness of theistic belief is a philosophical feast. Crafted by leading thinkers tackling a plethora of related topics, this book engages with the most recent arguments and evidences from philosophy, physics, cognitive science, psychology, and other disciplines. It will be an invaluable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in grappling with the fundamental issue of whether belief in God is natural and reasonable. -- Chad Meister, Bethel College

Author Bio

Paul Copan is professor and Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Charles Taliaferro is professor of philosophy at St. Olaf College.