Atheism: A Very Short Introduction

Description

Atheism is often considered to be a negative, dark, and pessimistic belief which is characterised by a rejection of values and purpose and a fierce opposition to religion. Atheism: A Very Short Introduction sets out to dispel the myths that surround atheism and show how a life without religious belief can be positive, meaningful, and moral. It also confronts the failure of officially atheist states in the Twentieth Century. The book presents an intellectual case for atheism that rests as much upon positive arguments for its truth as on negative arguments against religion. Cover Title Contents Preface List of illustrations 1. What is atheism? A walk on the dark side Atheism defined Atheism, naturalism, and physicalism A positive case for atheism Honk if you’re an atheist 2. The case for atheism How to make a case for anything Evidence Absence and evidence Evidence for atheism Atheism and dogmatism Arguments to the best explanation Is atheism a faith position Place your bets Conclusion 3. Atheist ethics Laws and lawgivers Morality and choice Sources of morality Moral thinking Human flourishing Consequences Universalizability Conclusion 4. Meaning and purpose What’s the point The designer’s purpose Purpose as goal Life as its own answer Hedonism Death Meaningful lives 5. Atheism in history Not the history of atheism The birth of atheism The birth of avowed atheism Atheism and 20th-century totalitarianism Conclusion 6. Against religion? Wrong and bad Arguments for God’s existence The cosmological argument The teleological argument The ontological argument What then justifies belief Militant atheism Harmful religion Conclusion 7. Conclusion Another time, maybe Humanism Return to the dark side References and further reading What is atheism? The case for atheism Atheist ethics Meaning and purpose Atheism in history Against religion? Conclusion Index A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Visit the VERY SHORT INTRODUCTIONS Web site