Knowledge of God

This monograph presents a rigorous philosophical examination of the epistemological foundations underlying claims about divine existence and attributes. Kenny approaches the God question through the lens of analytical philosophy, scrutinizing the logical coherence and evidential basis of theistic belief systems. His work engages critically with both classical theological arguments and contemporary philosophical defenses of theism, positioning itself within the tradition of British empiricism while incorporating insights from linguistic philosophy and logic.

The work systematically analyzes traditional arguments for God's existence, including cosmological, teleological, and ontological proofs, subjecting each to careful logical scrutiny. Kenny demonstrates particular attention to the problem of divine attributes, examining whether concepts such as omnipotence, omniscience, and perfect goodness can be coherently formulated without internal contradiction. His analysis reveals significant tensions between these traditional divine attributes and the demands of logical consistency, contributing to ongoing debates about the coherence of classical theism.

Kenny's methodology combines historical scholarship with philosophical analysis, tracing the development of arguments about God from medieval scholasticism through modern philosophy. He engages substantially with Thomas Aquinas, whose Five Ways receive detailed critical examination, as well as with contemporary philosophers of religion such as Richard Swinburne and Alvin Plantinga. This historical depth allows Kenny to demonstrate how certain conceptual problems in theology have persisted across centuries despite various attempted solutions.

The monograph's central contribution lies in its argument that agnosticism represents the most rationally defensible position regarding God's existence. Kenny contends that while atheism makes claims that exceed available evidence, theism faces insurmountable problems of coherence and justification. His position differs from simple skepticism by acknowledging the meaningfulness of religious discourse while maintaining that knowledge claims about God cannot be adequately supported. This nuanced stance challenges both confident atheism and traditional theism, suggesting that intellectual humility requires suspension of judgment on ultimate metaphysical questions.

The work's significance extends beyond philosophy of religion to broader epistemological concerns about the limits of human knowledge. Kenny's careful distinction between belief, knowledge, and rational justification provides a framework for understanding religious epistemology that avoids both dogmatism and relativism. His analysis demonstrates how philosophical rigor can illuminate religious questions without dismissing their existential importance, making this work essential reading for those seeking to understand the rational assessment of religious claims.