ABSTRACT

First Published in 2004. In Arguing for Atheism, Robin Le Poidevin addresses the question of whether theism-the view that there is a personal, transcendent creator of the universe - solves the deepest mysteries of existence. Philosophical defences of theism have often been based on the idea that it explains things which atheistic approaches cannot: for example, why the universe exists, and how there can be objective moral values. The main contention of Arguing for Atheism is that the reverse is true: that in fact theism fails to explain many things it claims to, while atheism can explain some of the things it supposedly leaves mysterious. It is also argued that religion need not depend on belief in God. Designed as a text for university courses in the philosophy of religion and metaphysics, this book’s accessible style and numerous explanations of important philosophical concepts and positions will also make it attractive to the general reader.

part |2 pages

Part I The limits of theistic explanation

chapter 1|14 pages

Must the universe have a cause?

chapter 2|16 pages

Is God necessary?

chapter 3|11 pages

Could the universe have an explanation?

chapter 4|15 pages

Are we the outcome of chance or design?

chapter 5|12 pages

Does the universe have a purpose?

part |2 pages

Part II Moral arguments for atheism

chapter 7|17 pages

Is there a problem of evil?

part |2 pages

Part III Religion without God

chapter 8|17 pages

Is God a fiction?

chapter 9|11 pages

Is ‘Does God exist?’ a real question?

chapter 10|12 pages

Should the atheist fear death?