"The selection of articles is exceptionally good for an introductory course in the subject. The questions are also useful for discussion in class and writing projects"

"Comprehensive, representative, good guidance and advice", Dr Andrew Dawson, Chester College

"The selection of articles is exceptionally good for an introductory course in the subject. The questions are also useful for discussion in class and writing projects", Dr Victoria S Harrison, Birkbeck College

"Comprehensive, representative, good guidance and advice"

TEXTBOOK

Philosophy of Religion: A Guide and Anthology provides a comprehensive, authoritative, and accessible overview of the philosophy of religion. Under the careful editorship of Brian Davies, the book contains a selection of the best classical and contemporary writings on the philosophy of religion together with substantial commentary, introductory material, discussion questions, and detailed guides to further reading. The editorial material sets the extracts in context and guides the reader through them. Taken as a whole, the book offers the ideal, self-contained introduction to the questions which have most preoccupied Western philosophers when thinking about religion. The selection is both very comprehensive and very generous. 65 sizeable extracts map out the full range of topics most commonly encountered in courses on the philosophy of religion. Part I looks at the relation between philosophy and religious belief; Parts II-IV consider the existence and nature of God; Part V addresses the 'problem of evil'; and Parts VI and VII are devoted to the relationship between morality and religion and to the question of life after death.

Philosophy of Religion: A Guide and Anthology provides a comprehensive, authoritative, and accessible overview of the philosophy of religion. Under the careful editorship of Brian Davies, the book contains a selection of the best classical and contemporary writings on the philosophy of religion together with substantial commentary, introductory material, discussion questions, and detailed guides to further reading. The editorial material sets the extracts in context and guides the reader through them. Taken as a whole, the book offers the ideal, self-contained introduction to the questions which have most preoccupied Western philosophers when thinking about religion. The selection is both very comprehensive and very generous. 65 sizeable extracts map out the full range of topics most commonly encountered in courses on the philosophy of religion. Part I looks at the relation between philosophy and religious belief; Parts II-IV consider the existence and nature of God; Part V addresses the 'problem of evil'; and Parts VI and VII are devoted to the relationship between morality and religion and to the question of life after death.

Professor Brian Davies is Professor of Philosophy, Fordham University, New York. He is a Catholic Priest and Dominican Friar and General Editor of the series 'Outstanding Christian Thinkers' published by Geoffrey Chapman, London and 'Medieval Minds' published by Oxford University Press. His many articles on Philosophy of Religion and Theology are widely published and he has contributed to several published titles.

2003-10-25 A Classic Beginner's Text

Davies has succeeded in producing a standard text for those engaged in undergraduate study of philosophy of religion. The book is divided into the main sections of inquiry that the philosophy of religion is concerned with: religious language, arguments for and against the existence of God, reason and religious belief and the nature of God, etc. Within each section Davies presents a neat introductory chapter, detailing the elements of the argument that the book records and demonstrating the historical and conceptual dialectic that they form. The remainder of the section then holds the appropriate primary texts pertaining to his introduction.

Not only does this introduction and expositiong method demonstrate to the uninitated the form that philosophical discussion takes, it also provides an easily referencable starting point for essays and further research into the topic. This is enhanced by the excellent 'Notes on Contributers' at the beginning of the book, the thorough index at the close, and the questions for consideration at the end of each section.

The selection of texts may not be as broad as some anthologies, but what Davies seems to be aiming to do is build the confidence of the beginner within the safe and well defined structure of his book and this he does well. Adequate stimulus for futher research is provided in the suggested reading.

Davies must be congratulated on producing an easily understandable, eminently quotable guide to philosophy of religion. If you must chose between this and his 'An Introduction to the Philosophy if Religion' don't be distracted by the other's slimness and comparative cheapness: this is the superior book.