Overview

This book guides readers through an investigation of religion from a naturalistic perspective and explores the very meaning of the term ‘religious naturalism’. Oppy considers several widely disputed claims: that there cannot be naturalistic religion; that there is nothing in science that poses any problems for naturalism; that there is nothing in religion that poses any serious challenges to naturalism; and that there is a very strong case for thinking that naturalism defeats religion. Naturalism and Religion: A Contemporary Philosophical Investigation is an ideal introduction for undergraduate and postgraduate students of religious studies and philosophy who want to gain an understanding of the key themes and claims of naturalism from a religious and philosophical perspective.

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9780815354642

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Reviews

In this new work, Professor Oppy, one of the most distinguished non-religious philosophers of religion, takes on the daunting task of sorting out the relationships and conflicts, real and apparent, between naturalism, religious belief, and the sciences. The task is daunting, in part, because of the ill-defined boundaries of each of these domains of human thought. In this learned and perforce wide-ranging examination of the issues, Oppy makes a powerful case for the superiority of naturalistic over religious attempts to understand reality, while rejecting claims of inevitable conflict between science and religion. Evan Fales, Professor emeritus from the Philosophy faculty at the University of Iowa, USA.

In this new work, Professor Oppy, one of the most distinguished non-religious philosophers of religion, takes on the daunting task of sorting out the relationships and conflicts, real and apparent, between naturalism, religious belief, and the sciences. The task is daunting, in part, because of the ill-defined boundaries of each of these domains of human thought. In this learned and perforce wide-ranging examination of the issues, Oppy makes a powerful case for the superiority of naturalistic over religious attempts to understand reality, while rejecting claims of inevitable conflict between science and religion. Evan Fales, Professor emeritus from the Philosophy faculty at the University of Iowa, USA. If you are a naturalist, you will enjoy reading Oppy's even-handed but thorough critique of arguments against naturalism. If you are not, you will realize how much work you would have to do to defeat the cautious kind of naturalism Oppy defends. Either way, this is a excellent introduction to the debates regarding naturalism and religion. Greg Dawes, University of Otago, New Zealand. The philosophy of religion today has no more acute and incisive investigator than Graham Oppy. His works combine deep understanding of technical nuance with eloquence and lucidity of expression. These qualities are preeminently present in his new book from Routledge, Naturalism and Religion: A Contemporary Philosophical Investigation. Unreservedly recommended. Keith Parsons, University of Houston-Clear Lake, USA.

This excellent defence of a carefully defined version of naturalism should be required reading for anyone thinking about the topic. Greg Dawes, University of Otago, New Zealand The philosophy of religion today has no more acute and incisive investigator than Graham Oppy. His works combine deep understanding of technical nuance with eloquence and lucidity of expression. These qualities are preeminently present in his new book from Routledge, Naturalism and Religion: A Contemporary Philosophical Investigation. Unreservedly recommended. Keith Parsons, University of Houston-Clear Lake, USA In this learned and perforce wide-ranging examination, Oppy makes a powerful case for the superiority of naturalistic over religious attempts to understand reality, while rejecting claims of inevitable conflict between science and religion . Evan Fales, University of Iowa, USA It succeeds splendidly at delineating the philosophy of religion as seen from the viewpoint of naturalism. ...Oppy's methodology is refreshing. Glenn Branch, National Centre for Science Education.

In this new work, Professor Oppy, one of the most distinguished non-religious philosophers of religion, takes on the daunting task of sorting out the relationships and conflicts, real and apparent, between naturalism, religious belief, and the sciences. The task is daunting, in part, because of the ill-defined boundaries of each of these domains of human thought. In this learned and perforce wide-ranging examination of the issues, Oppy makes a powerful case for the superiority of naturalistic over religious attempts to understand reality, while rejecting claims of inevitable conflict between science and religion. Evan Fales, Professor emeritus from the Philosophy faculty at the University of Iowa, USA. If you are a naturalist, you will enjoy reading Oppy's even-handed but thorough critique of arguments against naturalism. If you are not, you will realize how much work you would have to do to defeat the cautious kind of naturalism Oppy defends. Either way, this is a excellent introduction to the debates regarding naturalism and religion. Greg Dawes, University of Otago, New Zealand.

Author Information

Graham Oppy is Professor of Philosophy in the School of Philosophical, Historical and International Studies at Monash University, Australia.

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