Overview

Proofs of God in Early Modern Europe offers a fascinating window into early modern efforts to prove God's existence. Assembled here are twenty-two key texts, many translated into English for the first time, which illustrate the variety of arguments that philosophers of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries offered for God. These selections feature traditional proofs - such as various ontological, cosmological, and design arguments - but also introduce more exotic proofs, such as the argument from eternal truths, the argument from universal aseity, and the argument ex consensu gentium. Drawn from the work of eighteen philosophers, this book includes both canonical figures (such as Descartes, Spinoza, Newton, Leibniz, Locke, and Berkeley) and noncanonical thinkers (such as Norris, Fontenelle, Voltaire, Wolff, Du Ch?ótelet, and Maupertuis) and noncanonical thinkers (such as Norris, Fontenelle, Voltaire, Wolff, Du Chótelet, and Maupertuis). Lloyd Strickland provides fresh translations of all selections not originally written in English and updates the spelling and grammar of those that were. Each selection is prefaced by a lengthy headnote, giving a biographical account of its author, an analysis of the main argument(s), and important details about the historical context. Strickland's introductory essay provides further context, focusing on the various reasons that led so many thinkers of early modernity to develop proofs of God's existence. Proofs of God is perfect for both students and scholars of early modern philosophy and philosophy of religion.

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9781481309318

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Strickland offers us a brilliant historical introduction to the philosophical quest to prove the existence of God, and a wonderful collection of judiciously edited texts from the work of the best philosophers in 17th and 18th century. This is a masterpiece, a dream come true for those interested in the philosophy of God in early modern European philosophy. Charles Taliaferro, Professor and Chair of Philosophy, St. Olaf Colleg Proofs of God in Early Modern Europe: An Anthology is a superb collection of translations that includes both traditional demonstrations for the existence of God and many more readings appearing in English for the first time. Specialists and nonspecialists alike will find an immense amount of value in this text -- Charles Joshua Horn -- International Journal for Philosophy of Religion

Strickland offers us a brilliant historical introduction to the philosophical quest to prove the existence of God, and a wonderful collection of judiciously edited texts from the work of the best philosophers in 17th and 18th century. This is a masterpiece, a dream come true for those interested in the philosophy of God in early modern European philosophy. Charles Taliaferro, Professor and Chair of Philosophy, St. Olaf Colleg

"""Strickland offers us a brilliant historical introduction to the philosophical quest to prove the existence of God, and a wonderful collection of judiciously edited texts from the work of the best philosophers in 17th and 18th century. This is a masterpiece, a dream come true for those interested in the philosophy of God in early modern European philosophy."" Charles Taliaferro, Professor and Chair of Philosophy, St. Olaf Colleg Proofs of God in Early Modern Europe: An Anthology is a superb collection of translations that includes both traditional demonstrations for the existence of God and many more readings appearing in English for the first time. Specialists and nonspecialists alike will find an immense amount of value in this text -- Charles Joshua Horn -- International Journal for Philosophy of Religion"

Author Information

Lloyd Strickland is Professor of Philosophy and Intellectual History in the Department of History, Politics, and Philosophy at Manchester Metropolitan University.

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