Atheisms: The Philosophy of Non-Belief

Description

Questions about how to negotiate belief and non-belief in social and public spheres are attracting an increasing amount of attention from academics in a range of disciplines, and from concerned members of the public. This volume addresses the emergence of ‘new atheism’ and the developing ‘spiritual but not religious’ phenomenon. Avoiding simplistic accounts of atheism, and of religious belief, it provides readers with insight into a wide range of nuances within theism and atheism, as well as spiritual practice and faith. The chapters by an international panel of contributors focus on topics such as: a typology or cartography of atheisms and agnosticism; contrasting types of atheism within Christianity and Buddhism; questions about cognitive and doxastic stances in atheisms; theist rejections of and atheist embracing of ‘God’; and atheist aesthetics. Reaching beyond the Christian tradition, the book will be of particular interest to scholars of the philosophy of religion, as well as religious studies and theology more generally. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of Figures List of Tables List of Contributors Introduction: Atheisms and the Power to Be Confronted 1 A Quantum of Solace and a Heap of Doubt 2 Stepping Stone to Atheism? The Instability of Agnosticism 3 A New Theist Meets Two Atheists 4 Can an Atheist Display Religiously Significant Attitudes? 5 Doxastic and Nondoxastic Atheisms 6 Atheists and Idolaters: The Case of John Wren-Lewis (1923–2006) 7 How to Not Think about God 8 Atheist Aesthetics: A Critical Response 9 Belief, Unbelief and Mystery Appendix: Mapping Agnosticism: Comment Inspired by Robin Le Poidevin’s ‘Stepping Stone to Atheism? The Instability of Agnosticism’ Index