Thinking About God: First Steps In Philosophy

Description

"The real problem, says philosopher Gregory Ganssle, is not whether we can think about God, but whether we will think well or poorly about God. Admittedly there is a lot of bad thinking going around. But Ganssle, who teaches students, wants to help us think better, especially about God. He thinks philosophy can actually help."--Jacket. pt. 1. Introduction. Why bother thinking about God? -- What is philosophy? -- You cannot prove God's existence -- What about faith? -- Can we be neutral? -- Where do we begin? -- pt. 2. Reasons to believe in God. Starting at the beginning : Why is there anything at all? -- Starting at the beginning : Must the universe have a cause? -- Starting at the beginning : Must the first cause be God? -- Looking at the details : Design and designers -- Looking at the details : Darwin and design -- Looking at the details : Fine-tuning and design -- Looking at the details : Many world and small chances -- Looking in the mirror : Moral reality -- Looking in the mirror : Moral facts point to God -- Reasons to believe : The cumulative case -- pt. 3. God and evil. The square circle objection -- God and evil reconciled -- Reasons God could have to allow evil -- Freedom and determinism : A chapter you might want to skip -- The unicorn objection -- Is there an elephant in the room? -- pt. 4. What is God like? Beginning to think about what God is like -- What can God do? -- What can God know? -- Can God know the future? -- Does God Communicate?