Description
Hugh Rice explains why belief in God need not be seen as a strange or irrational kind of belief, but can be a natural extension of our ordinary ways of thinking. First he argues that it is rational to believe that the universe exists just because it is good that it should exist. Then he argues that we should conceive of God in an abstract way; in particular, we should understand God's willing something as consisting in its being good that that thing should be so. Together these arguments give reason to believe that the universe was created by God. This abstract conception of God does justice both to the nature of goodness and to the idea that God is sovereign. In the course of arguing for it, Rice gives clear and non-technical discussions of such fascinating topics as the objectivity of value, the problem of evil, and the evidence for miracles. Anyone interested in the nature of God and the basis of religious belief will enjoy this book.
About the Author
Hugh Rice is Official Student and Tutor in Philosophy at Christ Church, Oxford.
Reviews
Rice's reasoning is clear and concise, and includes sharp analyses * Theology *
Hugh Rice's book is a stimulating one to read * Religious Studies (37) *
written with great clarity and remarkable conciseness. It displays a refreshing independence of mind in its treatment of a range of fundamental philosophical issues * Religious Studies (37) *
a stimulating brief introduction to the philosophy of religion * Religious Studies (37) *
Rice's reasoning is clear and concise ... includes sharp analysis * David Clough, St John's College, Durham *
God and Goodness is a fascinating book. It is clearly written, very ingenious, and in many places persuasive; and it makes a number of good points against those who would pit the scientific outlook against the religious. * Richard Sturch, Journal of Theological Studies, Vol.52, No.1, April 2001 *
Rice admirably avoids the technical jargon and formal symbolism often found in analytical treatises. * Reviews in Religion and Theology *
This is a well-written as well as well-thought-out book. Those ready to explore it, and sufficiently able to follow it, may even find it closer than at first appears to the notion of the greatest Puritan catechism that man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. * R.D. Kernohan, Contemporary Rev. Jan 01. *
Rice ... deftly demolishes the claims of science to be more objectively factual than the claims of theism. * John Saxbee, Church Times, 8 Sept. 00. *
If you enjoy intellectual arm-wrestling with the likes of Hick, Swinburne and Mackie, then you will enjoy getting to grips with this passionate plea for the importance of rational belief, at a time when mystery, metaphysics and imagination make so much of the running. * John Saxbee, Church Times, 8 Sept. 00. *
Rice has written a courageously argued book which refreshingly challenges many contemporary assumptions. * John A. Harrod, The Expository Times, Vol.112, No.2. *
Book Information
ISBN 9780198250289
Author Hugh Rice
Format Hardback
Page Count 158
Imprint Clarendon Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 293g
Dimensions(mm) 211mm * 141mm * 14mm
About the Author
Hugh Rice is Official Student and Tutor in Philosophy at Christ Church, Oxford.
Reviews
Rice's reasoning is clear and concise, and includes sharp analyses * Theology *
Hugh Rice's book is a stimulating one to read * Religious Studies (37) *
written with great clarity and remarkable conciseness. It displays a refreshing independence of mind in its treatment of a range of fundamental philosophical issues * Religious Studies (37) *
a stimulating brief introduction to the philosophy of religion * Religious Studies (37) *
Rice's reasoning is clear and concise ... includes sharp analysis * David Clough, St John's College, Durham *
God and Goodness is a fascinating book. It is clearly written, very ingenious, and in many places persuasive; and it makes a number of good points against those who would pit the scientific outlook against the religious. * Richard Sturch, Journal of Theological Studies, Vol.52, No.1, April 2001 *
Rice admirably avoids the technical jargon and formal symbolism often found in analytical treatises. * Reviews in Religion and Theology *
This is a well-written as well as well-thought-out book. Those ready to explore it, and sufficiently able to follow it, may even find it closer than at first appears to the notion of the greatest Puritan catechism that man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. * R.D. Kernohan, Contemporary Rev. Jan 01. *
Rice ... deftly demolishes the claims of science to be more objectively factual than the claims of theism. * John Saxbee, Church Times, 8 Sept. 00. *
If you enjoy intellectual arm-wrestling with the likes of Hick, Swinburne and Mackie, then you will enjoy getting to grips with this passionate plea for the importance of rational belief, at a time when mystery, metaphysics and imagination make so much of the running. * John Saxbee, Church Times, 8 Sept. 00. *
Rice has written a courageously argued book which refreshingly challenges many contemporary assumptions. * John A. Harrod, The Expository Times, Vol.112, No.2. *
Book Information
ISBN 9780198250289
Author Hugh Rice
Format Hardback
Page Count 158
Imprint Clarendon Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 293g
Dimensions(mm) 211mm * 141mm * 14mm
