Religion is relevant to all of us, whether we are believers or not. This book concerns two interrelated topics. First, how probable is God's existence? Should we not conclude that all divinities are human inventions? Second, what are the mental and social functions of endorsing religious beliefs? The answers to these questions are interdependent. If a religious belief were true, the fact that humans hold it might be explained by describing how its truth was discovered. If all religious beliefs are false, a different explanation is required. In this provocative book Herman Philipse combines philosophical investigations concerning the truth of religious convictions with empirical research on the origins and functions of religious beliefs. Numerous topics are discussed, such as the historical genesis of monotheisms out of polytheisms, how to explain Saul's conversion to Jesus, and whether any apologetic strategy of Christian philosophers is convincing. Universal atheism is the final conclusion.

Combines philosophical investigations concerning the truth of religious convictions with empirical research on the origins and functions of religious beliefs.

About the Author
Herman Philipse is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Utrecht, The Netherlands. He is the author of God in the Age of Science? A Critique of Religious Reason (Oxford University Press), and of numerous publications on many philosophical topics.

Reviews
'... a welcome contribution.' Glenn Branch, Reading Religion



Book Information
ISBN 9781316614068
Author Herman Philipse
Format Paperback
Page Count 200
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 332g
Dimensions(mm) 228mm * 152mm * 13mm