Sense and Goodness Without God

Richard Carrier's "Sense and Goodness Without God" presents a comprehensive defense of metaphysical naturalism, arguing that a worldview entirely devoid of supernatural elements provides the most coherent and empirically supported account of reality. The work systematically addresses fundamental philosophical questions—from epistemology and ethics to cosmology and consciousness—demonstrating how naturalistic explanations surpass theistic alternatives in explanatory power and evidential support.

Carrier structures his argument as a complete philosophical system, beginning with epistemological foundations that privilege empirical methods and scientific reasoning. He contends that reliable knowledge derives exclusively from evidence-based inquiry, rejecting faith-based epistemologies as inherently unreliable. This methodological commitment undergirds his subsequent arguments across multiple domains, as he builds a cumulative case that naturalism better explains observable phenomena than any form of theism.

The work's treatment of ethics proves particularly significant, as Carrier develops a naturalistic moral philosophy grounded in human nature and social cooperation rather than divine command. He argues that moral values emerge from the biological and social conditions of human existence, requiring no supernatural foundation. This approach directly challenges theistic claims that objective morality necessitates divine grounding, offering instead an account of ethics rooted in empirical facts about human flourishing and suffering.

Carrier extends his naturalistic framework to consciousness, cosmology, and purpose, addressing traditional theistic arguments in each domain. He examines fine-tuning arguments, rejecting them through appeals to multiverse theories and anthropic reasoning. Regarding consciousness, he defends physicalism against dualist objections, arguing that mental phenomena emerge from neural processes without requiring immaterial souls. Throughout, he engages contemporary philosophical literature, positioning his arguments against specific theistic philosophers and apologists.

The monograph's significance lies in its systematic comprehensiveness—few works attempt such an ambitious defense of complete naturalism across all major philosophical questions. Carrier writes for educated general readers, avoiding excessive technical jargon while maintaining philosophical rigor. His polemical style reflects the New Atheist movement's confrontational approach, though his arguments engage substantive philosophical issues beyond mere rhetoric. The work functions as both a positive case for naturalism and a sustained critique of theistic worldviews, contributing to early twenty-first century debates about the rational defensibility of atheism versus theism.