Objecting to God
Does not imply availability
Description
The growth of science and a correspondingly scientific way of looking at evidence have for the last three centuries slowly been gaining ground over religious explanations of the cosmos and mankind's place in it. However, not only is secularism now under renewed attack from religious fundamentalism, but it has also been widely claimed that the scientific evidence itself points strongly to a universe deliberately fine-tuned for life to evolve in it. In addition, certain aspects of human life, like consciousness and the ability to recognise the existence of universal moral standards, seem completely resistant to evolutionary explanation. In this book Colin Howson analyses in detail the evidence which is claimed to support belief in God's existence and argues that the claim is not well-founded. Moreover, there is very compelling evidence that an all-powerful, all-knowing God not only does not exist but cannot exist, a conclusion both surprising and provocative.
AI Overview
Overview of "Objecting to God" by Colin Howson
Key Themes:
Critique of Religious Belief: The book is primarily focused on evaluating the evidence for the existence of God, particularly in the context of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). Howson argues that the claims of these religions are not well-founded and that their historical record of suppressing free thought is well-documented[1][4].
Logical and Philosophical Arguments: Howson uses logical and philosophical tools, such as Tarski’s Theorem and the Liar paradox, to demonstrate that it is logically impossible for God to be omniscient. This is one of the central arguments presented in the book[1][4].
Scientific and Moral Perspectives: The book also explores how scientific explanations have increasingly supplanted religious ones for understanding the cosmos and human existence. Additionally, it examines the moral implications of religious beliefs, arguing that certain aspects of human life, such as consciousness and universal moral standards, are resistant to evolutionary explanations[4].
Plot Summary: The book is structured to provide readers with the tools to evaluate the evidence for God's existence. It begins by highlighting the historical struggle between secular and religious authority, emphasizing the harm caused by religious dogma. Howson then delves into specific arguments against the existence of God, including the logical impossibility of an omniscient deity and the lack of scientific evidence supporting divine intervention[1][4].
Critical Reception: The book has received significant attention and critical acclaim for its bold and unapologetic approach to criticizing religious belief. Here are some excerpts from reviews:
Academic Praise: The book is described as "important" and "challenging" by Allison Murphy in the Journal of Religion and Culture. It is noted for bringing new atheism into academic discourse and pushing against the trend of treating religious belief with delicacy[4].
Moral Argumentation: The moral argumentation in the book is highlighted as compelling, particularly in its discussion of the practical consequences of believing in God and the acts committed in His name[4].
Overall, "Objecting to God" by Colin Howson is a rigorous and thought-provoking analysis of the evidence for and against the existence of God, aiming to equip readers with the tools to critically evaluate religious claims.
Publication Details:
- Publisher: Cambridge University Press
- Online Publication Date: June 2012
- Print Publication Year: 2011
- Online ISBN: 9780511812477
[1] https://cambridgeblog.org/2013/07/author-colin-howson-on-objecting-to-god/ [2] https://www.lse.ac.uk/philosophy/blog/2012/03/28/new-book-objecting-to-god/ [3] https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12388720-objecting-to-god [4] https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/objecting-to-god/67E8EDCB10FBD38E7BD239A323808226