Arguing for Atheism: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion [Paperback]

Robin Le Poidevin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0415093384 | ISBN-13: 978-0415093385

In this book, Robin Le Poidevin addresses the question of whether theism - the view that there is a personal, transcendent creator of the universe - solves the deepest mysteries of existence. Philosophical defences of theism have often been based on the idea that it explains things which atheistic approaches cannot: for example, why the universe exists, and how there can be objective moral values.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Well exhibits the fascination and philosophical centrality of the philosophy of religion as anchoring otherwise abstract metaphysical issues in the pressing concerns of human existence ... a worthwhile contribution'. - Mind

'Le Poidevin's Arguing for Atheism is the best recent introduction to the philosophy of religion ...I would highly recommend it this book to students and professors alike - Quentin Smith, Western Michigan University

'Clear, honest and fairminded; it makes a good introduction, not just to the question of God, but to metaphysics in general - Donald Cupitt, Emmanuel College, Cambridge

'A lucid and valuable discussion of the issues it raises about purpose, God, ethics, evil and immortality.' - The Scientific and Medical Network

About the Author

Robin Le Poidevin is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Leeds. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (September 22, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415093384
• ISBN-13: 978-0415093385
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,374,372 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unbiased, analytic yet devastating approach to theism, April 19, 1998

By 

M. R. Bas (VOORSCHOTEN, ZH Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Arguing for Atheism: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion (Hardcover)

With the great knowledge about the philosophy of religion that the author has, he shows how to dissect generally accepted theistic doctrines and ways of thinking that will eventually lead to theism. This Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Leeds approaches all the common and basic theistic premises in a very reasonable way, thereby not immediately taking the stand of the atheist, but leaving theistic questions multi-answerable at first. Yet, after having viewed theistic premises with the eye of the honest philosopher, the only solution for such philosophical problems will turn out to be a non-theistic one. With some humour here and there, and with fair and honest arguments for atheism the book will refute theism in a way that treats theistic conceptions in a respectful way, even though theism eventually will seem to be non-true. Robin Le Poidevin will demonstrate a logical succession of strategies that will hollow out theism step by step. Every chapter is to be considered an outstanding, analytic step towards total disproval of theism. After having dissected and consequently refuted theism in all its forms 'the fair philosopher' offers the possibly disillusioned ex-theist a way to regain the feelings and emotions that came about when practicing religion. 'Religion without God' therefore, will be the last chapter, where Le Poidevin stresses the fact that God is a fiction, but one can also project one's religious needs onto other things. This last chapter will not appeal to the person who has been an atheist all of his life, but I find it important to mention this last chapter because it stresses Le Poidevin's integrous fashion of refuting atheism; fair, down-to-earth and without a biased attitude towards theism whilst refuting this particular perception of existence totally. When one reads the book one might be distracted by the elaborate methods of viewing a premise and later on refuting it. The examples and verbal illustrations might seem redundant, but every chapter has a summary in which this chapter's contence will be repeated more in a straight forward way. I read this book quite often; step by step. It is outstanding, very nice to read, and I consider it the best atheistic book that I have yet purchased, which was more than one year ago.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Arguing for Atheism, May 15, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Arguing for Atheism: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion (Paperback)

This is an introduction to philosophy of religion written by an atheist. Le Poidevin manages to discuss a number of technical metaphysical issues in a highly readable way, which is exactly what we would hope to find in a college textbook such as this. My only criticism of Arguing for Atheism concerns what Le Poidevin did not address. His book contains nothing on miracles or religious experience, nor any reference to any of the new arguments for atheism, including Michael
Martin's atheistic teleological argument or Quentin Smith's atheistic cosmological argument (even though the book comes with an endorsement by
Smith). Indeed, Le Poidevin seems unaware of some very influential atheist philosophers, like Michael Martin and Antony Flew. Still, Arguing for Atheism is an outstanding atheist introduction to philosophy of religion that is well worth purchasing. -- Jeffery Jay Lowder

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exemplary text on atheism, December 11, 2004

By 

James Arvo (Pasadena, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Arguing for Atheism: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion (Paperback)

In his book "Arguing for Atheism", Le Poidevin has accomplished what few authors have succeeded in; he has written a powerful but thoroughly respectful criticism of theology. This is far and away the finest book I have ever read on atheism. Le Poidevin introduces each theistic argument as fairly and thoroughly as possible, often overlooking inconsequential flaws, and even offering modified arguments that overcome such flaws. He then proceeds to examine each argument in depth, exposing both valid points and flaws. As the title of the book suggests, however, precious few theistic arguments are found to withstand scrutiny.

What sets this book apart from other books that critically examine theology is that Le Poidevin clearly has no interest in securing cheap victories over ill-conceived apologetics; rather, his aim is to examine the most cogent theistic arguments that can be constructed, even if he must lend a hand in bolstering them, which he does with humility and earnestness.

This book is a model of how apologetics and its criticism ought to be conducted. I wish more authors on both sides of the debate would follow his lead. This is the book I most wish that religionists would read and atheists would emulate, both for its penetrating criticism and for its exemplary tone.