Selected here are ten of the best books reviewed during the year 2002. It was difficult to pick just ten, there were so many good books from the past year, but I had to narrow the list down to fit this page. Qualities which helped books stand out include providing an interesting/unusual perspective on long-running debates, offering a real enduring value to readers (i.e., worth reading more than once), and being an invaluable resource on its topic.
1) Global Philosophy of Religion
Does God exist? If so, is it possible for God to be male or female? Do we survive our physical deaths? What is religion and what purpose does it serve? Does life have any sort of meaning? All of these questions and more are topics in the philosophy of religion, the subject of the recent and worthwhile book "Global Philosophy of Religion" by Joseph Runzo.
2) Skeptical Philosophy for Everyone
It is commonly believed that skepticism is a relatively minor issue in the context of Western philosophy. A recent book from Richard H. Popkin and Avrum Stroll argues, however, that skepticism is actually an important key to understanding the course and development of philosophy in the West.
3) September 11
Terrorism today is rarely just about politics - often, it is at least as much about religion. Because such terrible acts of violence stem in so many ways from religious roots, they also raise uniquely religious questions about things like the nature of faith and the role of religion in society. How such questions are answered provides insight into religious traditions and religious attitudes.
4) Into the Buzzsaw
Is there a "Free Press" in the United States? Does this "Fourth Estate" fulfill a role as watchdog over the government and business, serving the public interest? Do our news organizations work to enhance and preserve an informed democracy? Evidently not.
5) Spiritual But Not Religious
A figure commonly cited in atheist circles is that around ten percent of the population in the United States are nonbelievers. The resulting assumption, understandably enough, seems to be that if ten percent are nonreligious, then the remaining ninety percent must be religious, right?
6) Digital Copyright
Have you ever downloaded an MP3 music file from the internet? Have you ever copied software from a friend? Have you ever thought about how a movie might be different if this or that actor had been replaced by someone else? Did you know that all of the above may have been a violation of current American copyright laws?
7) The Atheist: Madalyn Murray O'Hair
Madalyn Murray O'Hair is a figure who resonates strongly for people across America - unfortunately, that resonance is negative for most of those who recognize her name. She has become The Atheist in popular imagination - but who was she and how did she get into that position?
8) The Trouble With Christmas
Why do non-Christians make a fuss about Christmas in America? How could anyone have problems with Christmas? There are parties, gifts, days off - this should be a fun time for all concerned. Anyone who would challenge and/or reject Christmas sounds like a Scrooge, right?
9) Species of Origins
Why is there such rancorous conflict in America over creationism and evolution? Other countries don't suffer form this, so why does the United States? Is it simply a question about religion? Is it because of Christian fundamentalism?
10) New Buddhism: Western Transformation of Ancient Tradition
Buddhism has become very popular in the West over the past couple of decades, but to what degree has Buddhism been changing the West, and to what degree has Buddhism itself undergone change? According to William Coleman, Buddhism has changed a lot, yet nevertheless, it is fundamentally the same as it has always been. But how can this be?
