The Atheist's Guide to Reality: Enjoying Life without Illusions 1st Edition

by Alex Rosenberg (Author)

77 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0393344110

ISBN-10: 0393344118

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“A tough test of the intellectual mettle of the armchair atheists and those teetering between faith and committing to life without it.”―Boston Globe

We can’t avoid the persistent questions about the meaning of life―and the nature of reality. But science is the only means of answering them. So declares philosopher Alex Rosenberg in this bracing, surprisingly sanguine take on a world without god. The science that makes us nonbelievers, he demonstrates, tells us the nature of reality, the purpose of everything, the difference between right and wrong, how the mind works, even the direction of human history. 8 illustrations

The Atheist's Guide to Reality: Enjoying Life without Illusions

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“The Atheist’s Guide to Reality will, like the best scholarship and science, remove you from your comfort zone. And that is the only way to gain new and better perspectives on our place in the cosmos.”
- Lawrence Krauss A Universe From Nothing

“For those of us who have pondered what David Hume might have said, were he to have had the benefit of all the scientific knowledge that succeeded his death, Alex Rosenberg’s wonderful new book perfectly satisfies.”
- Rebecca Goldstein 36 Arguments for the Existence of God

“...The Atheist’s Guide is the work of a well-informed and imaginative philosopher.”
- Philip Kitcher, New York Times Book Review

About the Author

Alex Rosenberg is the R. Taylor Cole Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Duke University. He is also the author of the best selling novel, "The Girl From Krakow" and "Autumn in Oxford." He lives in Durham, North Carolina.

Product details

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 1 edition (December 10, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0393344118
ISBN-13: 978-0393344110
Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 77 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #87 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Atheism
- #231 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Religious
- #433 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Philosophy

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Honest Reflection on Life

May 2, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Prof. Rosenberg presents an objective view of life. His perspective is fresh and clear, and despite the brutally honest picture he paints, he eventually provides a beautiful outlook. I thought this was a fascinating read and is perfect for someone who wants to understand what life (without god) represents. This is not an apologetics book, but instead a wonderful take on what it means to be a human being.

0Comment 3 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

October 23, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Thoughtful explanation of science and religion. He articulated what I believe in a telling way. He is right: it's no sense prosetilsing - the religionists won't listen anyway.

0Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

Vernon Preitauer

Literally changes ones perception of reality!

July 10, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

One of those rare books that will change your perspective of everything! Read it on Kindle, then had to have a hard bound copy. A book that you will re-read, time and time again!

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July 20, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I've read a lot of atheist books. This one has a lot of new and interesting things to say. Some I completely agreed with, others really made me think. Very cool book. It'd be good as a gift.

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March 25, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book really has nothing to do with atheism, at least directly.

It is a detailed overview of how physics answers all the questions of life and how physics controls everything from the Big Bang, through the making of stars, the galaxies, the planets, including earth. Then physics controls the making of the first micro-organisms, which eventually through evolution and chance result in multi-celled organisms, and eventually become more complex animals, plants, fungi, all of which have the same origin. We may share 98% of the same DNA as chimpanzees and bonobos, but we also share 50% of the same DNA as mushrooms! Also, physics controls the mind, the body, and how we think and act.

This book is a must read for any human who wants to know about life and perhaps improve hers or his.

0Comment 5 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

Amazon Customer

A "Guide" to understanding physics

November 26, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

It's really a guide to understanding physics, which in turn eliminates god-concepts and/or "spiritual" experiences. It's a stretch for non-scientific types to grapple with how it started and how it's destined to end. Rosenberg's writing is more technical than I expected it to be, however, I was fascinated by his explanations. I'd recommend the book to anyone who is sorting through their inherited faith and reworking their questions about life. His clearest message is there's no purpose to any of it. That's difficult to comprehend, but I get it. I do, however, still have a reason to get out of bed each morning and do meaningful things.

0Comment 5 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

John F. Poseley

July 27, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

It's quite a bit of work to understand his discussion, but well worth it.
Great book.

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Edward A. Downe

August 22, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A surprising journey, truly life changing.

0Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

Most recent customer reviews

I wasn't able to finish it.

Published 2 months ago

A mind opening book for our times.

This is a truly extraordinary book that can change you life. Dr. Rosenberg writes clearly and with humor about very difficult topics such as the second law of...Read more

Published 7 months ago

Charles Justice

The Neutron-Bomb Philosophy

Socrates died so that Philosophy could live. Alex Rosenberg is an Anti-Socrates. He wants to squeeze the life out of philosophy by reducing it to scientific materialism.Read more

Published 1 year ago

One of the worst books I have ever read.

Published 1 year ago

What is Reality?

If you know something about the history of philosophy, then you’re probably aware that there are many conceptions about the true nature of reality.Read more

Published 1 year ago

Zero stars for this braying of "empty words"

Had this writer footnoted his grand statements he would have demonstrated respect for his readership.Read more

Published 1 year ago

Amazon Customer

Take it to a desert island!

If I was allowed to take one book to a desert island this would be the one I'd take. For someone with a physics background like myself and one who has been a life-long atheist...Read more

Published 1 year ago

The Hard Cold Truth

It's the hard cold truth, even harder than I thought. Can't take life or myself too seriously after this book!

Published 1 year ago

Scientism's reductionist guide fails to address reality on the multiple levels of analysis required.

A poor title, but provocative text. Rosenberg addresses the committed atheist with a treatise on radical scientism as only valid epistemology in pursuit of truth and 'nice...Read more

Published on October 12, 2015

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