In the thousand years from the end of the Roman Empire to the Renaissance and Reformation of the Sixteenth century the discussion of the great questions of philosophy and religion was intense. Does God exist? What is he like? What is the purpose of human life and how does God show concern for the future of mankind? This is an introduction to the debates which did more than anything else to transform the ancient into the modern world of thought.

Augustine, perhaps the most important and most widely read Father of the Church, first became preoccupied with the problem of evil in his boyhood, and this preoccupation continued throughout his life. Augustine's ideas about evil were to mark out the boundaries of the problem for those who came after him; his influence was greater and more widespread than any other early Christian thinker and is still of importance both with those who agree with him and with those who do not. (...) Augustine's personality, so loveably and intricately revealed in his Confessions, has always made him a figure of intense interest. (shrink)

'What am I to believe?' is perhaps the fundamental question of human existence. It is unlikely that most people reach the end of their lives without wondering what it has all been for and what happens next. But the question of belief is more than just academic, since what people believe is now a more critical issue than ever. As G. R. Evans shows, an ignorance of the history of beliefs can leave individuals susceptible to the influence of extreme ideas, (...) and unsure how to put them into context and judge their validity. In all religions, not just Islam and Christianity, that is precisely how sects and cults get a grip"--Book jacket. (shrink)

Drawing from a range of historical thinkers to illuminate the subject, this studyprovides readers with a framework of reference to get their bearings and begin to develop a personal response to the task of "doing the right thing." Its topics delve into the wider context of the practical difficulties people face in deciding what to do for the best, analyzing the way this morning's dilemma fits among the big moral issues. Its subjects are divided into three parts, addressing key questions (...) facing society such as What is fairness? Should I always tell the truth? What are the moralities of war? What are my ecological responsibilities to the planet? and Is the good bound to win in the end? Accessible and lively, this is a compelling look at how people can live well and make wise decisions. (shrink)