The Philosophy of Religion

For over twenty years, Beverley Clack and Brian R. Clack's distinctive and thought-provoking introduction to the philosophy of religion has been of enormous value to students and scholars, providing an approach to the subject that is bold and refreshingly alternative.

This revised and updated edition retains the accessibility which makes the book popular, while furthering its distinctive argument regarding the human dimension of religion. The central emphasis of the philosophy of religion – the concept of God, and the arguments for and against God's existence – is reflected in thorough analyses, while alternative approaches to traditional philosophical theism are explored. The treatments of both the miraculous and immortality have been revised and expanded, and the concluding chapter updates the investigation of how philosophy of religion might be conducted in an age defined by religious terrorism.

Clear, systematic and highly critical, the third edition of The Philosophy of Religion will continue to be essential reading for students and scholars of this fascinating and important subject.

Acknowledgements

1 RELIGIOUS BELIEF AND THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

I What is Religion?

II Defining the Philosophy of Religion

III Developing the Concept of God

2 NATURAL THEOLOGY

I Arguments for the Existence of God

II The Divine Attributes

III The Human Dimension of Natural Theology

3 CHALLENGES TO THEISM

I Evil

II Natural Histories of Religion

III Religious Language and Verification

4 ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

I The Aims and Practice of Revisionary Theology

II Wittgenstein and the Philosophy of Religion

III Feminism and the Philosophy of Religion

5 MIRACLES AND IMMORTALITY

I Miracles

II Immortality

6 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION IN AN AGE OF TERROR

I Religious Belief and Terrorism

II Terror, Transience and the Human Animal: A Revised Account of Religion

Conclusion: Seeing the Blossom

Notes

Index

‘An engaging and accessible book which gives a clear, critical account of some of the standard topics in philosophy of religion, and also includes stimulating discussion of how religious belief relates to the very human problems of identity, transience and mortality.’
John Cottingham, University of Reading

‘This lucid introduction goes beyond the common approaches in Anglo-American philosophy of religion to include engagements with contemporary social movements (feminism, religious violence). The presentations of the usual topics – God’s existence and attributes, miracles, evil, death and immortality – show clearly and fairly the shapes of the debates on these issues. By basing their approach in religion as a human (but not always humane) experience, the Clacks provide a splendid path into the field.’
Terrence W. Tilley, Fordham University

Beverley Clack is Professor in the Philosophy of Religion at Oxford Brookes University.

Brian R. Clack is Professor of Philosophy and A. Vassiliadis Director of the Humanities Center at the University of San Diego.