Contact us on (02) 8445 2300
For all customer service and order enquiries

Woodslane Online Catalogues

9781573928533 Academic Inspection Copy

Naturalism and Religion

  • ISBN-13: 9781573928533
  • Publisher: GLOBE PEQUOT
    Imprint: PROMETHEUS
  • By Kai Nielsen
  • Price: AUD $77.99
  • Stock: 0 in stock
  • Availability: This book is temporarily out of stock, order will be despatched as soon as fresh stock is received.
  • Local release date: 01/10/2001
  • Format: Hardback 506 pages Weight: 0g
  • Categories: Philosophy [HP]
Description
Reviews
Google
Preview
This elucidation and defence of naturalism argues that an uncompromising secular orientation is the best framework for the search for meaning and interprets religion in purely naturalistic terms. Part One seeks to demonstrate that religious symbols arise from facts about human beings and the societies in which they live, specifically our needs, fears, and aspirations. Part Two examines arguments for and against naturalism, including the defences of naturalism by Sidney Hook, Ernest Nagel, Antony Flew, and critical reactions to their views.The forceful and rigorously analytical case made by Jean Hampton against naturalism is also examined, resulting in a clarification of the substantial and sound methodological grounds for naturalism and atheism. Part Three considers the strongest intellectual challenge to secularism and naturalism, namely that of Ludwig Wittgenstein and some of his followers - Norman Malcolm, D. Z. Phillips, Hilary Putnam, Rush Rhees, and Peter Winch. Nielsen concludes that none of these critiques diminish the cogency and viability of naturalism as the most reasonable basis for viewing our world today.
"This is an ambitious project...Perhaps the book's most valuable contribution is the way it reminds us of...earlier conceptions of naturalism and demonstrates how these views can be used to address contemporary issues... For those interested in confronting the challenges that face contemporary naturalism there is much here to explore." -- Philosophical Investigations
Google Preview content