Summary
Title: Arguing for Atheism: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion
Author: Robin Le Poidevin
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0415093384
Pro:
• Arguments for atheism examined
• Important points repeated and stressed
Con:
• May be a little difficult for some people
Description:
• Arguments for theism examined
• Arguments for atheism examined
• Religion without theism examined
Book Review
Le Poidevin covers much of the same ground which traditional introductions cover, such as common arguments for the existence of a god, the argument from evil, and the relationship between god and morality. But whereas most introductions let matters stand at that, Le Poidevin takes the time to see if the results are more supportive of atheism than of theism, and finding that this is indeed the case.
The first part of Le Poidevin's book Arguing for Atheism: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion is devoted to an examination of the arguments usually offered by theists in support of their god — causal arguments, ontological arguments, cosmological arguments, design arguments, and the anthropic principle.
The second part moves on to positive arguments in support of atheism and against the existence of any gods. In this, he focuses on moral questions: the argument from evil and whether or not ethics is compatible with the existence of a god.
Le Poidevin considers the problem of evil to be “the most powerful argument for atheism,” which may be a bit of an overstatement. It is true that it is highly effective when it comes to particular gods, especially those which an atheist is likely to encounter in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
His arguments on theistic ethics are also good, though less powerful than the argument from evil. Once again, these arguments cannot disprove the possibility of a god, but they demonstrate the nonsense of the traditional idea of a god responsible for the existence of moral standards:
- The idea that the existence of moral values depends in some way on God creates difficulties both for the doctrine that God is good and for the doctrine that he wills us to do what is good. The problem is this: we can, apparently, only make sense of these doctrines if we think of goodness as being defined independently of God. But if it is so defined, then God does not, after all, explain the existence of moral values.
But if there is a god, and even if this God created the universe and intended for the development of humanity, then what is the point of worshipping this god if it is totally independent of moral values? At best, it might be respected as a supreme example of how to follow the moral values which exist independently of it, although the problem of evil would tend to disprove even that. If this god is nothing more than a better-than-average human with a lot of power, the worship of it is meaningless. God may exist, but is rendered irrelevant.
The final section may not interest some atheists, but in many ways it is the most intriguing part of the book. Here Le Poidevin asks questions regarding the nature of religion without reference to theism itself. He asks, for example, if religion can have some pragmatic value, and if so, if it can be salvaged by atheists. To both questions, he answers yes, although I am not sure what it would ultimately accomplish to emotionally commit to a religion which is interpreted along “non-realist” lines.
Another interesting chapter deals with the question of whether or not atheists should fear death.
We may not have to worry about whether or not we will move on to a heavenly reward or hellish punishment, but if this life is all we'll ever have, it is appalling to think that our deaths will be final and irrevocable.
With each chapter, he includes a summary of the arguments and a list of further reading. The former will be helpful to people who have trouble following what are sometimes difficult arguments; the latter will be useful for those looking to make a more detailed study of some specific issues.
Le Poidevin has written one of the best books on atheism which is currently available. This is true, first because it really does deal with atheism and theism generally, not resorting to arguments specifically about Christianity which distract so many other books. Second, he addresses a great variety of arguments and issues which are important to the debates on atheism and theism which atheists will actually encounter.
Finally, he does so in a way which is accessible to most readers. It is not the easiest book to read, and some experience with philosophy texts would be helpful, but the overall difficulty is minimal. He defines his terms and repeats his main points often enough to keep most readers from getting lost.
