The Rationality of Theism
عقلانية الإيمان بالإله
La rationalité du théisme
Belief in the existence of God is not merely a matter of faith but can be shown to be rationally justified through a convergence of philosophical, evidential, and epistemological arguments.
Editorial summary
This collection presents a systematic defense of theistic belief through rigorous analytical philosophy, assembling leading voices in contemporary philosophy of religion to demonstrate the rational credentials of belief in God. The volume engages four major argument families that have historically grounded theistic conviction: cosmological, ontological, design, and moral arguments. Each receives careful reformulation and defense using the tools of modern analytic philosophy.
The cosmological arguments receive particular attention, with contributors examining both classical formulations and contemporary versions such as the kalam cosmological argument. These chapters address standard objections concerning infinite regress, necessary existence, and the principle of sufficient reason. The ontological argument section explores modal versions developed after Plantinga, assessing whether maximal greatness entails necessary existence. Contributors defend these arguments against parodies and disputes about conceivability and metaphysical possibility.
Design arguments undergo significant updating, incorporating findings from contemporary physics and cosmology. Fine-tuning arguments feature prominently, with authors calculating the precise calibration required for a life-permitting universe. These discussions engage with multiverse hypotheses and anthropic principle objections. The biological design arguments, while acknowledging evolutionary theory, explore remaining explanatory gaps that might suggest teleological direction.
Moral arguments receive innovative treatment, moving beyond simple divine command theory to explore the metaethical foundations required for objective moral facts. Contributors argue that moral realism finds its most secure grounding in theistic metaphysics, addressing evolutionary debunking arguments and examining how naturalistic accounts struggle to explain moral normativity and obligation.
Throughout, the volume maintains dialogue with prominent atheistic philosophers, directly engaging objections from figures like Mackie, Rowe, and Oppy. The methodology remains firmly within the analytic tradition, emphasizing logical rigor, conceptual clarity, and careful premise-by-premise argumentation. Unlike purely defensive projects, this collection advances positive cases for theism, arguing that God's existence provides the best explanation for various philosophical phenomena.
The work's significance lies in its comprehensive yet focused approach, demonstrating how traditional theistic arguments can be reformulated to meet contemporary philosophical standards. By assembling multiple argument types, the volume suggests a cumulative case for theism that draws strength from convergent lines of evidence. This editorial stance marks the collection as a major contribution to analytical philosophy of religion, offering sophisticated responses to naturalistic philosophy while maintaining accessibility for advanced students and scholars.
Argument formulations engaged
Related works
Moser, Paul K. The Rationality of Theism.
@book{the-rationality-of-theism,
author = {Moser, Paul K.},
title = {The Rationality of Theism},
year = {n.d.},
url = {https://god-database.com/en/works/the-rationality-of-theism}
}