Atheism: A Philosophical Justification (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: free will defense, beneficial arguments, uniform temporal order, United States, Christian God, Hidden Valley (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Thousands of philosophers—from the ancient Greeks to modern thinkers—have defended atheism, but none more comprehensively than Martin. His lengthy arguments, detailed and incisive, are sharpened by modern developments in logic and inductive reasoning and by special attention to contemporary thinkers whose subtle writings are unknown to the general public.... Atheists should read it to bolster their creed, and theists should read it to test their faith against the deadly force of Martin's attack."
—Martin Gardner, The Humanist

"A tour-de-force for the mind.... This is a book to be read several times and savored while being slowly digested.... If one follows Martin's reasoning throughout this book, one will have gone through the most thorough and vigorous examination of the logical arguments surrounding atheism and theism that has ever been offered."
—Gordon Stein, American Rationalist

"[This book] has the impact of a runaway train. It is certainly the best philosophical justification of atheism that I have ever read.... Even readers with little philosophical background will find themselves richly repaid."
—Free Inquiry

Product Description

"Thousands of philosophers--from the ancient Greeks to modern thinkers--have defended atheism, but none more comprehensively than Martin. . . . Atheists should read it to bolster their creed, and theists should read it to test their faith against the deadly force of Martin's attack."--Martin Gardner, The Humanist.

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Product Details Paperback: 541 pages Publisher: Temple University Press (January 8, 1992) Language: English ISBN-10: 0877229430 ISBN-13: 978-0877229438 Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.6 x 1.3 inches Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #255,807 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
free will defense, beneficial arguments, uniform temporal order, minor theodicies, absolute evil one, same factual meaning, weak verificationist principle, possible supernatural beings, beings with finite power, negative atheism, basic observational sentences, unique rational method, external cause hypothesis, positive atheism, contracausal sense, super island, contracausal freedom, restricted theism, epistemological perfection, purely epistemic reasons, expanded theism, epistemological duty, negative atheists, supernatural being exists, pointless evil

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, Christian God, Hidden Valley, Richard Swinburne, Meaningfulness of Religious Language, Soul Making Theodicy, Alvin Plantinga, Loch Ness, Virgin Mary, Book of Mormon, Minor Evidential Arguments, John Hick, Antony Flew, Some Minor Theodicies, Justification of Negative Atheism, William James, Bruce Reichenbach, Religions Experience, Curley Smith, Joseph Smith, David Hume, Red Sea, Gary Gutting, The Nature of Necessity, Wesley Salmon

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Citations (learn more)

52 books cite this book:

• Atheism, Morality, and Meaning (Prometheus Lecture Series) by Michael Martin on 8 pages
• The Cambridge Companion to Atheism (Cambridge Companions to Philosophy) by Michael Martin on 7 pages
• The Rationality of Theism by Paul K. Moser on 7 pages
• Contemporary Perspectives on Religious Epistemology by R. Douglas Geivett on 6 pages
• Contemporary Perspectives on Religious Epistemology by R. Douglas Geivett on 6 pages

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Customer Reviews

34 Reviews 5 star:  (15) 4 star:  (8) 3 star:  (3) 2 star:  (5) 1 star:  (3)           Average Customer Review 3.8 out of 5 stars (34 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 49 of 54 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars VERY comprehensive but dated introduction to atheism, September 9, 2001 By  [e-mail] (USA) - See all my reviews This book is a HUGE overview of the different types of atheism. Overall, I think Martin's book is an excellent introduction to atheism. I particularly enjoyed his refutation of various theistic answers to the argument from evil. Unfortunately, I cannot report that I enthusiastically endorse every feature of this book. Here's why: First, Martin creates unnecessary problems for himself by trying to argue BOTH that theism is meaningless AND that if theism were meaningful, it is false. I am very familiar with Martin's Internet essay, "Positive Atheism and the Meaninglessness of Theism," where he explains that his defense of both negative and positive atheism is a "fall-back" position. However, Martin's defense of the claim, "theism is factually meaningfulness," is unconvincing. (Even most nontheists believe that theism is meaningful!) Moreover, Martin's "fall-back" strategy is a poor one. By writing such a huge discussion of arguments for and against the existence of God, it sure *appears* that Martin can think of ways in which the existence of God might be confirmed or disconfirmed. In other words, despite the fact that Martin was using a "fall-back" strategy, by the very nature of the issue Martin's fall-back strategy undermines his claim that theism is factually meaningfulness. Second, given that his book was first published 10 years ago, it is now starting to become dated. Martin's book lacks a discussion of several new evidential arguments for atheism developed and defended since 1991. John Schellenberg has defended the highly influential atheological argument from divine hiddenness. (Indeed, this argument is so powerful that even Christian philosophers are taking it seriously: witness the forthcoming publication of Howard-Snyder's and Moser's anthology on divine hiddenness.) Martin's book is missing other important evidential atheological arguments as well, including Michael Tooley's argument from physical minds, Paul Draper's argument about combining evolution with the problem of evil, Draper's argument from the biological role of pain and pleasure, and religious confusion. Likewise, on the theistic side, Martin's book says nothing about recent sophisticated defenses of so-called 'intelligent design' theory. Third, I doubt that Martin's critique of moral arguments for theism will satisfy anyone except atheist philosophers, given the brevity of the discussion. If morality can be objective without God, Martin needs to say more about the matter than he does. And moral objectivists will not be impressed by Martin's 4-sentence (hypothetical?) dismissal of moral objectivism (which, I suppose, is another one of Martin's "fall-back" strategies.) Overall, I think Michael Martin's _Atheism_ can be a useful addition to a person's library, so long as he or she is aware of its limitations. I hope that Martin revises his book so that these limitations are removed. 20 of 22 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Charged Atheism, January 9, 2001 By  "freethoughtmecca" (Great Shaytan al-Hayy, USA) - See all my reviews In my opinion, this is undoubtedly one of the strongest defenses of Atheism ever written. Martin gives information on both "negative" and "positive" Atheism. These two distinctions are as follows: "negative" Atheism is simply non-belief in any particular god, while "positive" Atheism is the firm belief that no gods exist. It may sound like there is no difference at all, but it mostly has to do with how strong one's Atheism is. Martin, a professor of philosophy at Boston University, destroys numerous modern incarnations of common theist arguments, including William Lane Craig's twist on the Kalam cosmological argument. The one draw back to this book is that it might make for rough reading for those who are not familiar with the symbolization and syntax of sentential logic. Such readers may have a tough time with Martin's arguments which, at times, resemble mathematical equations. 10 of 11 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars This book is not for the weak hearted., August 11, 2001 By A Customer This book was right at my brink of comprehension. It took almost everything I had to follow what Martin was talking about. I still love the book. I had a little trouble following the negative atheist philosophy. Yes, a child or infant that's born is an atheist because they've never heard of God yet. Yes, I feel that people who know God or have studied God and choose Atheism over Theism are the true Athiests. Yes, I believe that an Atheist doesn't hate God he or she simply doesn't believe in God. Really Cool book but read it slow. No, I'm not an idiot. It's very slow and hard reading. Martin is somewhat beyond my intelligence level. I can follow along but it takes lots of reviewing for me...Regards...		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars The most comprehensive treatment going Professional philosopher Michael Martin consistently and rigorously defended atheism long before the advent of the comparatively shallow New Atheists (Dawkins, Harris, Hitchens,... Read more Published 16 months ago by Kerry Walters 3.0 out of 5 stars Solid Defence of Atheism Published in 1990 Michael Martin's `Atheism a Philosophical Justification', surveys philosophical arguments in support of an atheistic worldview. Read more Published on April 30, 2006 by Reader From Aurora 5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and comprehensive This is a thoughtful study of arguments for and against the existence of a monotheist deity. Of course, the title does bother me slightly, given that I regard Christianity,... Read more Published on January 31, 2005 by Jill Malter 5.0 out of 5 stars For serious readers only If your an atheist this book is for you and if you have second thoughts about god this will get you over the hump. Read more Published on January 18, 2005 by Carl R. Hancock 3.0 out of 5 stars Encyclopedia of Atheism: Short on Substance Michael Martin's book has many strengths, most of them lying in his comprehensive approach to the discussion of atheism. Read more Published on November 4, 2004 by Daniel R. Sanderman 2.0 out of 5 stars I Don't Agree, but Clear and Comprehensive Martin's "Atheism: A Philosophical Justification" is divided into two main parts. In the first part, Martin argues that there is no good argument for the existence of God, and... Read more Published on July 1, 2004 by TiZ 3.0 out of 5 stars Tipping the scale Firstly, this review is only for the open minded. Secondly, it is representative of what has been called the author's "apparent lack of confidence" in his work and... Read more Published on May 5, 2004 by Daniel 4.0 out of 5 stars Good work It takes a long time to read and digest this one. Martin aproaches and interprets atheism from a unique angle with mathematical formulas, mixed with traditional arguments. Read more Published on March 21, 2004 5.0 out of 5 stars Atheism Defended Excellent book but too much words. Nevertheless, with little time and slow reading Martins book is the best i've read so far. Published on March 15, 2004 by Dick Hertz 4.0 out of 5 stars Hard Read Very good information, almost too much coverage and wording to get a point across. Recommended for only the serious of readers. Published on May 15, 2003 Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 541 pages
• Publisher: Temple University Press (January 8, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877229430
• ISBN-13: 978-0877229438
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #255,807 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars VERY comprehensive but dated introduction to atheism, September 9, 2001

By	[e-mail] (USA) - See all my reviews

This book is a HUGE overview of the different types of atheism. Overall, I think Martin's book is an excellent introduction to atheism. I particularly enjoyed his refutation of various theistic answers to the argument from evil. Unfortunately, I cannot report that I enthusiastically endorse every feature of this book. Here's why:

First, Martin creates unnecessary problems for himself by trying to argue BOTH that theism is meaningless AND that if theism were meaningful, it is false. I am very familiar with Martin's Internet essay, "Positive Atheism and the Meaninglessness of Theism," where he explains that his defense of both negative and positive atheism is a "fall-back" position. However, Martin's defense of the claim, "theism is factually meaningfulness," is unconvincing. (Even most nontheists believe that theism is meaningful!) Moreover, Martin's "fall-back" strategy is a poor one. By writing such a huge discussion of arguments for and against the existence of God, it sure *appears* that Martin can think of ways in which the existence of God might be confirmed or disconfirmed. In other words, despite the fact that Martin was using a "fall-back" strategy, by the very nature of the issue Martin's fall-back strategy undermines his claim that theism is factually meaningfulness.

Second, given that his book was first published 10 years ago, it is now starting to become dated. Martin's book lacks a discussion of several new evidential arguments for atheism developed and defended since 1991. John Schellenberg has defended the highly influential atheological argument from divine hiddenness. (Indeed, this argument is so powerful that even Christian philosophers are taking it seriously: witness the forthcoming publication of Howard-Snyder's and Moser's anthology on divine hiddenness.) Martin's book is missing other important evidential atheological arguments as well, including Michael Tooley's argument from physical minds, Paul Draper's argument about combining evolution with the problem of evil, Draper's argument from the biological role of pain and pleasure, and religious confusion. Likewise, on the theistic side, Martin's book says nothing about recent sophisticated defenses of so-called 'intelligent design' theory.

Third, I doubt that Martin's critique of moral arguments for theism will satisfy anyone except atheist philosophers, given the brevity of the discussion. If morality can be objective without God, Martin needs to say more about the matter than he does. And moral objectivists will not be impressed by Martin's 4-sentence (hypothetical?) dismissal of moral objectivism (which, I suppose, is another one of Martin's "fall-back" strategies.)

Overall, I think Michael Martin's _Atheism_ can be a useful addition to a person's library, so long as he or she is aware of its limitations. I hope that Martin revises his book so that these limitations are removed.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charged Atheism, January 9, 2001

By	"freethoughtmecca" (Great Shaytan al-Hayy, USA) - See all my reviews

In my opinion, this is undoubtedly one of the strongest defenses of Atheism ever written. Martin gives information on both "negative" and "positive" Atheism. These two distinctions are as follows: "negative" Atheism is simply non-belief in any particular god, while "positive" Atheism is the firm belief that no gods exist. It may sound like there is no difference at all, but it mostly has to do with how strong one's Atheism is.

Martin, a professor of philosophy at Boston University, destroys numerous modern incarnations of common theist arguments, including William Lane Craig's twist on the Kalam cosmological argument. The one draw back to this book is that it might make for rough reading for those who are not familiar with the symbolization and syntax of sentential logic. Such readers may have a tough time with Martin's arguments which, at times, resemble mathematical equations.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is not for the weak hearted., August 11, 2001

By A Customer

This book was right at my brink of comprehension. It took almost everything I had to follow what Martin was talking about. I still love the book. I had a little trouble following the negative atheist philosophy. Yes, a child or infant that's born is an atheist because they've never heard of God yet. Yes, I feel that people who know God or have studied God and choose Atheism over Theism are the true Athiests. Yes, I believe that an Atheist doesn't hate God he or she simply doesn't believe in God. Really Cool book but read it slow. No, I'm not an idiot. It's very slow and hard reading. Martin is somewhat beyond my intelligence level. I can follow along but it takes lots of reviewing for me...Regards...