The Atheist's Primer

'Palmer appropriately returns us to the classical philosophical atheistic challenges against theism. His work is beyond praise and I believe greatly needed in time when "New Atheism" is in danger of eliminating the thrust of classical atheism, which squarely and fairly focused on arguments for and against existence of God. [...] I would recommend The Atheist's Primer to all Christians and atheists who love pondering the case for and against existence of God and are worn-out by New-Atheism's shortage of philosophical engagement in this most important subject. ' Daniel Prayson in With All I Am, 25th October 2012 ' This primer is an elegant subject guide for entry-level infidels. Perhaps it has been pitched to an age group who should already have divested themselves of imaginary friends, but it still constitutes a utile grounding in, and overview of, the thinking, constructive and destructive, of freethinkers throughout Western history. ' Daniel Binney in Times Higher Education, 25th October 2012 'Hurray for Michael Palmer! The Atheist's Primer is one of the best introductions to Atheism available. Well written and the many pictures of famous philosophers add to its charm - the only introduction to Atheism that I know of that has this!' Dr Michael Martin, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Boston University, October 2012 'In his concise, comprehensive and accessible grand tour d'horizon of atheistical arguments, he surveys the philosophical approach that started 2,500 years ago, in the extraordinary explosion of critical thought in 5th-century BC Athens. [...] Michael Palmer has written not only an elegant summary of 2,500 years of thinking-about-God, but a genuine "Primer", locked and loaded for argument, which doubles as a reminder of our intellectual limitations. The arguments it offers are less overweening than the barrage of scientific facts we tend to rely on.' Michael Bywater in New Humanist, Vol. 127 (6), Nov./Dec. 2012 'If you are a student of philosophy, history and possibly psychology you will find much to interest you in this book.' Dougie Gibbard, Skeptical Adversaria, Winter 2012 'The various logical arguments in favour of atheism contained in this book represent a valid arsenal of munitions very useful for both atheists and agnostics, in order to to be able to rebut in an efficient way all of the pseudo-demonstrations that believers always advance in favour of their divinities...' Enrica Rota, L'ATEO, n. 1/2013 (86) '[The Atheist's Primer] seeks to highlight 'important philosophical arguments' that Palmer believes have been sidelined in contemporary debates between theists and their opponents. He is surely right that the greatest atheist thinkers - Nietzsche, Marx and Freud - often do not receive a full hearing...' Mark Vernon, The Times Literary Supplement, No 5730, January 2013 'This book [...] offers an engaging introduction, accessible to the general reader, to the history of atheism and to some of the main contemporary philosophical arguments for atheism. [...] it will be especially helpful for those without a philosophical background.' Reviews in Science and Religion, No. 61, May 2013 'Palmer's book should be read and studied by teachers of all religious faiths, and should be studied in courses on Christian/religious apologetics. Religious people concerned about the secular and anti-religious trends in Western society should also read Palmer's books to gain insight into the philosophical shifts which have moved Western culture to a more post-Christian and post-religious position. Religionists need to actively engage the increasing popularity of atheism with their own robust theological and intellectual traditions.' Armand J. Boehme, Faribault, MN, Reviews in Religion and Theology, Vol.21, No.1, January 2014 'Palmer's book is a refreshing, jargon-free take on the history of atheism which, spanning the analytic-continental divide, covers a very broad range of philosophical arguments [...] it can be recommended to the general reader as a lively and accessible introduction to philosophical atheism'. David Leech, University of Bristol, Religious Studies, Vol. 50, Issue 1, March 2014 "... Palmer's book is refreshing in that it approaches atheism from a philosophical perspective... A narrative of Western atheism's progression that is highly readable and accessible to the general reader..." Richard Viladesau, Theological Studies, Vol. 75, Issue 3 September 2014 "Atheism should be studied both by believers and unbelievers for understanding argumentation and limits about the rational proof of the existence of God. For these who want to consider this issue, The Atheist's Primer is undoubtedly the manual. Pedro José Grande Sánchez, Anuario Filosófico Volume 47, issue 2, 2014 "Palmer's book is refreshing in that it approaches atheism from a philosophical perspective, reviewing the major intellectual objections against the notion of God from th