A Concise Encyclopeadia of the Philosophy of Religion
موسوعة موجزة في فلسفة الدين
Encyclopédie concise de la philosophie de la religion
The philosophy of religion encompasses a wide and contested range of concepts, arguments, and traditions that can be mapped and clarified through careful encyclopedic exposition.
Editorial summary
Anthony Thiselton's "A Concise Encyclopedia of the Philosophy of Religion" (2002) provides a comprehensive reference work that maps the complex terrain of philosophical engagement with religious questions, particularly those concerning the existence and nature of God. The volume serves as both an introduction to key concepts and a guide to ongoing debates within philosophy of religion, offering balanced presentations of diverse positions rather than advocating for any particular stance.
The encyclopedia covers fundamental topics including arguments for and against God's existence, the problem of evil, religious epistemology, the relationship between faith and reason, and the nature of religious language. Thiselton's entries demonstrate careful attention to both classical formulations and contemporary developments in these debates. Each article situates concepts within their historical development while addressing current philosophical discussions, making the work valuable for understanding how traditional questions about God continue to evolve in contemporary philosophy.
Thiselton employs a descriptive-analytical methodology that prioritizes clarity and accessibility without sacrificing philosophical rigor. His approach involves presenting multiple perspectives on contentious issues, allowing readers to understand the strengths and weaknesses of various positions in the God debate. The work engages with the general theism debate by examining arguments from natural theology, critiques from atheistic philosophy, and mediating positions that question the terms of the debate itself.
The encyclopedia's significance lies in its comprehensive scope and even-handed treatment of opposing viewpoints. Rather than serving as an apologetic work for any particular position, it functions as a scholarly resource that illuminates the philosophical landscape surrounding questions of God's existence and attributes. Thiselton includes entries on major thinkers from Anselm to Plantinga, philosophical movements from logical positivism to reformed epistemology, and key concepts from omnipotence to religious experience.
By organizing complex philosophical discussions into accessible entries, Thiselton's work serves scholars and students seeking to understand the multifaceted nature of philosophy of religion. The encyclopedia demonstrates how questions about God remain philosophically vital, engaging with perennial concerns while incorporating insights from contemporary philosophy of mind, epistemology, and metaphysics. Its balanced approach makes it a valuable resource for understanding the current state of philosophical debate about God across different traditions and methodological approaches.
Structured analysis
Argument formulations engaged
Thiselton, Anthony C. (2002). A Concise Encyclopeadia of the Philosophy of Religion.
@book{a-concise-encyclopeadia-of-the-philosoph,
author = {Thiselton, Anthony C.},
title = {A Concise Encyclopeadia of the Philosophy of Religion},
year = {2002},
url = {https://god-database.com/en/works/a-concise-encyclopeadia-of-the-philosophy-of-religion}
}