Philosophy of Religion: A Contemporary Introduction (Routledge Contemporary Introductions to Philosophy) [Paperback]

Keith E. Yandell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415132142 | ISBN-13: 978-0415132145 | Publication Date: January 7, 1999 | Edition: annotated edition

Philosophy of Religion provides an account of the central issues and viewpoints in the philosophy of religion but also shows how such issues can be rationally assessed and in what ways competing views can be rationally assessed. It includes major philosophical figures in religious traditions as well as discussions by important contemporary philosophers. Keith Yandell deals lucidly and constructively with representative views from Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. This book will appeal to students of both philosophy and religion as well as to the general reader interested in the subject.
Unique features of Philosophy of Religion:
* key reading and new reading in the subject area
* questions at the ends of chapters
* a glossary of philosophical terms
* annotated further reading

Editorial Reviews

Review

The central strength of the book is its willingness to argue points out in detail rather than just reporting on arguments. It is a model of rigorous argument applied to questions of religion.
–Mark Wynn, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane

...Yandell's book stands out as an exemplary work in analytical philosophy of religion and readers of this journal [Philosophia Christi] are indebted to his considerable philosophical acumen...[Yandell] takes us a good way down the path to appreciating the philosophical power of theism.
...Philosophy of Religion: A Contemporary Introduction is a fine text of interest to the specialist and, with a little help in the classroom, a refreshing resource for students.
–Charles Taliaferro, St. Olaf College Philosophia Christi, Spring 2003

About the Author

Keith E. Yandell is professor of Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin at Madison

Product Details

• Paperback: 424 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; annotated edition edition (January 7, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415132142
• ISBN-13: 978-0415132145
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #785,267 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Breath Of Critical Fresh Air, September 5, 2001

By 

James S. Taylor (Scarborough, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Philosophy of Religion: A Contemporary Introduction (Routledge Contemporary Introductions to Philosophy) (Paperback)

What a refreshing change of pace. Yandell is not cowed at all by modern politically correct views of how to handle (or rather, avoid handling) real religious views. Christian, Hindu, Buddhist and Jain views all are surveyed, then come under review for various tests of whether or not they are viable options for belief. What seems solid stands; what doesn't gets a polite and serious discussion of its weaknesses. As noted, a value is that, unlike many philosophy of religion books, this one jumps clearly outside the typical coverage of Western theistic religions and gives Eastern views the respectful discussion they deserve. Any criticisms, on all sides, are handled with scholarly acumen, lack of insult, and are argued in detail. This book will make you think on issues deeply. I think that Buddhists, particularly those from debate oriented traditions (like Theravada or Tibetan) will particularly enjoy developing a response to his discussions on the evidential lack of value to meditation experiences, and to his in detail analysis of why he thinks the Buddhist view of persons is not adequate. It's rare that religious groups who actually enjoy a real challenge are given one, but here is one worth your time. As for criticisms of theistic issues, such as the general failure of traditional arguments for God's existence, there's not as much unique here that hasn't been said in other works covering the topic. Over all, however, this is an excellent book for someone capeable of thinking philosophically at a college or university level.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid Work, May 12, 2009

By 

Reader From Aurora - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philosophy of Religion: A Contemporary Introduction (Routledge Contemporary Introductions to Philosophy) (Paperback)

Keith Yandell's Philosophy of Religion is an instalment in the Routledge Contemporary Introductions to Philosophy series. This series is intended to help students transition from introductory to higher level philosophical study. From my perspective the book is a mixed success; it has some clear strength as well as some shortcomings.

With respect to strengths, the scope of the discussion, the criticism of religious pluralism and the handling of Hinduism and Buddhism are noteworthy. First, with regard to scope, often discussions within the philosophy of religion are limited to Western monotheistic traditions for reasons of comfort and applicability (more amenable to rational analysis), Yandell's move beyond this traditional area with the inclusion of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism is helpful.

Second, the debunking of religious pluralism. Not pluralism in the sense that there is a variety of religions - clearly this is the case - but, rather, in the sense that the different religions are compatible. This notion of compatibility is appealing for many commentators - if true, it would seem to allow for greater toleration and acceptance between faith groups and cultures. As Yandell notes, however, beyond trivial assertion such as the denial of physicalism, the different traditions are incompatible. Broadly speaking, religions offer two things, an assessment of the human condition and a recommendation for its rectification. Even considered superficially the problem/solution claims of the different religions appear irreconcilable. For example Christianity posits sin as the problem and divine forgiveness as the cure, while Buddhism frames the problem as a sense of permanence and the solution as awareness of the transitory nature of existence. It would appear that the only way that these traditions can be equally valid is if they are all incorrect - which does seem to be the underlying contention of religious pluralism.

Third, the application of Western rational criticism to the different Eastern tradition raises interesting and important questions. For instance Yandell argues persuasively that Advaita Vedanta (Monistic) Hinduism and Theravada Buddhism are incoherent from a rational perspective. That is, in the Hindu view, how can things that posses a multiplicity of qualities be equivalent to qualityless Braham? While with regard to Buddhism what is to be made of notions such as karma and the wheel of life in the absence of true personhood? If all there is are transitory bundles of non-enduring states, to what does karma accrue, and, what is liberated from the wheel of life? These are important and interesting questions that warrant greater consideration.

With regard to drawbacks, Yandell occasionally slips into an excessively analytic style; this is especially the case when discussing Western Monotheism. While understandable given that the arguments in this area are well rehearsed this approach may strike some readers as unnecessarily pedantic and a bit irksome. I imagine that many readers in the target audience (relatively new undergrads), would find some of this argumentation discouraging and confusing. And last, the text seems to peter out in a rather disjointed manner; a subsequent edition would benefit from a concluding chapter to bring together the text's many threads.

Overall, a good read with some valuable insights. I recommend it for readers seeking a critical and contemporary discussion of the philosophy of religion

1 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars bogged down in logic and syllogisms, December 17, 2010

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Emerito D. Posadas "brain nerd" (san diego ,ca usa) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Philosophy of Religion: A Contemporary Introduction (Routledge Contemporary Introductions to Philosophy) (Paperback)

I was expecting a book which is supposed to be enlightening about religions in general. What I got however is philosophical jargon which confuses instead of clarifies. i do not recommend this book .