God, Goodness and Philosophy

ISBN-13: 9781409428527 / Angielski / Miękka / 2011 / 280 str.

Dr Harriet A. Harris

Opis

Does belief in God yield the best understanding of value? Can we provide transcendental support for key moral concepts? Does evolutionary theory undermine or support religious moralities? Is divine forgiveness unjust? Can a wholly good God understand evil? Should philosophy of religion proceed in a faith-neutral way? Public and academic concerns regarding religion and morality are proliferating as people wonder about the possibility of moral reassurance, and the ability of religion to provide it, and about the future of religion and the relation between religious faiths. This book addresses current thinking on such matters, with particular focus on the relationship between moral values and doctrines of the divine. Leading scholars in the field test the scope of philosophy of religion, and engage with the possibilities and difficulties of attempting trans-faith philosophy. Chapters also relate to a number of cross-disciplinary contemporary debates: on evolution and ethics; politics, justice and forgiveness; and the relation between reason and emotions. Another set of chapters tests the coherence of Anselmian theism and concepts of an Omni-God in relation to divine knowledge and goodness. This book will be of interest to scholars and undergraduates in philosophy of religion, as well as moral philosophers, philosophers of science, theologians, and those working in theology and science.

Recenzje

'God, Goodness and Philosophy is an extraordinary collection of new, first-rate work on religion and values by the best philosophers of religion working today. The writing, throughout, is clear, engaging, and accessible to both students and scholars in philosophy, theology, and religious studies.' Charles Taliaferro, St. Olaf College, USA 'Every essay in this collection is informative and stimulating. Two not to be missed are those by Roger Scruton and Nicholas Wolterstorff. Scruton defends ideas of the sacred and purity and Wolterstorff reflects on generosity and justice and the parable of the workers in the vineyard. There are important chapters looking at evolutionary theory and ethics with Robin Attfield finding room for non-reciprocal, non-familial altruism. The editor contributes an excellent introduction summarising and discussing the issues raised in the essays.' The Church of England Newspaper 'All in all, this volume offers us some interesting papers that are of value to those working on the relationship between God and morality. It also allows us to see that Britain’s got talent in the realm of philosophy of religion.' Themelios '... the essays in this collection show that there are many questions facing those engaged in moral philosophy, philosophy of religion, and theology. They also show that the answers to some profound questions about God and goodness are far from obvious. The search for them may be lively as well as controversial and intellectually demanding. This is a stimulating volume that deserves attention.' Journal of Theological Studies 'There is much of interest here and much that gets the reader to think again about the importance of critical philosophical engagement with notions of goodness.' Theology

O autorze

The editor, Dr Harriet A. Harris, is author of Fundamentalism and Evangelicals (1998/2008) and co-editor of Faith and Philosophical Analysis: The Impact of Analytical Philosophy upon Philosophy of Religion (Ashgate, 2005), and has written extensively within philosophy of religion and at its interface with moral reasoning and with theology. She has been a member of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Oxford for 12 years, and Lecturer in Theology at the University of Exeter. She has recently moved to Edinburgh where she teaches philosophy for the University.