Morality and Meaning without God, Another Failed Attempt: A Review Essay on 'Atheism, Morality, and Meaning'

Philosophia Christi 6 (2):295 - 304 (2004)
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Abstract

Atheist Michael Martin’s book ’Atheism, Morality, and Meaning’ attempts to defend the possibility of a naturalistic basis for morality and meaning; God (particularly the Christian God) is unnecessary to ground meaning, ethics, rights, moral obligation and motivation. Martin’s flawed arguments rely heavily on epistemological criteria rather than on (the far more critical) ontological grounding: why think personhood, obligation, and objective moral values should emerge from mindless, impersonal valueless processes? Martin’s arguments regarding Christian ethics, salvation, and atonement are problematic in various ways. A biblical ethic offers rich resources for human rights and responsibility and can readily withstand Martin’s criticisms

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Paul Copan
Marquette University (PhD)

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Morality and religion.Tim Mawson - 2009 - Philosophy Compass 4 (6):1033-1043.

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