Religion Within Reason

Steven Cahn author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Columbia University Press

Published:31st Mar '17

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Religion Within Reason cover

Are faith and reason, religion and science doomed to a constant struggle for the heart and future of humanity? Steven M. Cahn believes that they are not connected in any essential way: even if God exists, religion may not be justified, and even if religion is justified, belief in God may not be. In Religion Within Reason, Cahn argues that the common understanding of the relationship between religion and supernaturalism is flawed, and that, while supernaturalism is not reasonable, religious commitment may well be.

Why and how religion should be freed from a reliance on supernaturalism.In the views of most believers and critics, religion is essentially connected to the existence of a supernatural deity. If supernaturalism is not reasonable, the argument goes, religion cannot be reasonable-or if supernaturalism is reasonable, religion must be as well. Are faith and reason, religion and science, doomed to a constant struggle for the heart of humanity? Steven M. Cahn believes that they are not, that even if God exists, religion may not be justified and that even if religion is justified, belief in God may not be. In Religion Within Reason, Cahn argues that the common understanding of the relationship between religion and supernaturalism is flawed and that while supernaturalism is not reasonable, religious commitment may well be. Writing not as a theist but as one who finds much to admire in a religious life, he examines faith and reason, miracles, heaven and hell, religious diversity, and the problem of evil, using a variety of examples taken from religious thought, literature, and popular culture. Lucidly written in a nonpolemical spirit, Religion Within Reason offers an exciting new approach to the reconciliation of science and religion.

In this highly accessible work, Steven Cahn, a leading philosopher of our generation, exposes-in brilliant and vivid ways-the irrationality of the classical defenses of theism. Notwithstanding the book's devastating takedown of religious faith, Cahn argues for the potential benefits of living a religious life and engaging in religious ritual. This work is a must-read for anyone struggling with whether religion can withstand the scrutiny of contemporary analytical philosophy. The ideas in this clever, colorful, and enjoyable book might very well change your life. I know it did mine. -- Dov Weiss, Assistant Professor, Department of Religion, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign A lively and lucid book. Even theists will acknowledge that Cahn has built a clever, accessible and formidable case. -- David Shatz, Ronald P. Stanton University Professor of Philosophy, Ethics, and Religious Thought, Yeshiva University Cahn's discussion engagingly examines each point from a commitment to the methods of scientific inquiry. We also receive something else: a thoughtful conception of how to live. Cahn engages us rationally and, in the process, inspires. -- Peter Markie, Curators' Distinguished Teaching Professor, University of Missouri The book's primary contribution lies in its distinctive clarity and accessibility. Given all the attention lately to religious conviction and its (alleged) importance for morality, citizenship, patriotism, and civilization as such, there is need for this short, concise, but impactful book making the case against God's existence but allowing for the goodness of a religious life. -- Robert Talisse, W. Alton Jones Professor and Chair of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University

ISBN: 9780231181617

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

120 pages