What Is This Thing Called Philosophy Of Religion?

Description

What is this thing called Philosophy of Religion? grapples with the core topics studied on philosophy of religion undergraduate courses including:


the meaning of religious language, including 20th century developments

the nature of the Divine, including divine power, wisdom and actionã

arguments for the existence of the Divine

challenges to belief in the Divine, including the problems of evil, divine hiddenness and religious diversity

believing without arguments

arguments for life after death, including reincarnation.
In addition to the in-depth coverage of the key themes within the subject area Elizabeth Burns explores the topics from the perspectives of the five main world religions, introducing students to the work of scholars from a variety of religious traditions and interpretations of belief.
What is this thing called Philosophy of Religion? is the ideal introduction for those approaching the philosophy of religion for the first time, containing many helpful student-friendly features, such as a glossary of important terms, study questions and further reading.

Reviews

"Writing in crystal clear language, Elizabeth Burns provides an insightful, concise, and classroom-ready treatment of every question central to philosophy of religion. Each chapter captures the classical ideas and the contemporary challenges to belief in God. A reliable guide." Kevin Schilbrack, Appalachian State University, USAã

Author description

Elizabeth Burns was a Reader at Heythrop College, University of London, UK where she taught philosophy of religion from 2000-2017 and was, for five years, Dean of Undergraduate Studies. She is now a Reader and Programme Director of the University of London International Programmes in Theology at the central University of London and Director of Taught Programmes at the Cambridge Theological Federation, UK.

Table of contents

Acknowledgements Chapter 1 - What is philosophy of religion? Chapter 2 - Ways with words: The meaning of religious language Chapter 3 - Religious language: Twentieth-century developments Chapter 4 - Personal and impersonal interpretations of the Divine Chapter 5 - Divine Power Chapter 6 - Divine wisdom Chapter 7 - Divine action Chapter 8 - Petitionary prayer Chapter 9 - Arguments for the existence of the Divine: Cosmological arguments Chapter 10 - Arguments for the existence of the Divine: Design arguments Chapter 11 - Arguments for the existence of the Divine: Moral arguments Chapter 12 - Arguments for the existence of the Divine: Arguments from religious experience Chapter 13 - Arguments for the existence of the Divine: Ontological arguments Chapter 14 - Arguments against belief in the Divine: The problem of evil Chapter 15 - The problem of divine hiddenness Chapter 16 - Arguments against belief in the Divine: The problem of religious diversity Chapter 17 - Voluntarist theories of religious belief Chapter 18 - Reformed Epistemology Chapter 19 - Life, death and hope Appendix 1 - Defining the Divine Appendix 2 - Further reading on varieties of Religion Appendix 3 - Index for anthologies Glossary Index