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Title: Atheism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Julian Baggini ISBN: 0-19-280424-3 Publisher: Oxford University Press Pub. Date: August, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $9.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.31 (13 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Highly recommended
Comment: This is the best short introduction to the subject of atheism I have ever read, and I've read quite a few. Baggini has an amazing talent for reducing complex ideas to their essentials, and he does so without oversimplifying. Whereas many people who call themselves atheists merely say that there is no evidence FOR the existence of God, Baggini shows that there is clear evidence AGAINST the existence of God, while at the same time pointing out that such positive atheism need not be dogmatic.
I was especially pleased with the chapter on ethics. I was fully expecting to see something with which I would be in disagreement, but much to my surprise Baggini defends atheist ethics without resorting to any dubious assumptions regarding the nature of morality.
Another very positive aspect of the book is that it has such a pleasant, uncritical tone. This (plus the price) makes it an excellent book for atheists to give as gifts to believers. Much of the negativity regarding atheism would be dispelled if this book were widely read.
Rating: 5
Summary: A wonderful introduction to naturalistic atheism
Comment: I had not heard of _Atheism: A Very Short Introduction_ prior to receiving it as a gift from a friend. As I read the book, however, I quickly realized that Julian Baggini had written a masterful introduction to atheism, one that is sure to become a classic for years to come. Here is the table of contents:
Preface
List of Illustrations
1. What Is Atheism?
2. The Case for Atheism
3. Atheist Ethics
4. Meaning and Purpose
5. Atheism in History
6. Against Religion?
7. Conclusion
References and further reading
Index
In chapter 1, Baggini explains his primary purpose in _Atheism_ is to "provide a positive case for atheism," which he defines as "the belief that there is no God or gods" (p. 3). As Baggini correctly explains, atheism is not materialism, and Baggini makes it clear that he rejects materialism. Instead, most atheism is rooted in "the broader claims of naturalism" (p. 7). Since naturalism *entails* atheism, any evidence for naturalism is automatically evidence for naturalism. (The converse is not necessarily true, however.) In Baggini's words, "atheism is essentially a form of naturalism and so its main evidential base is the evidence for naturalism" (p. 16). Why is this significant? Because the evidential case for naturalism is much broader than the evidential case for atheism. Thus, Baggini's case for atheism has a far greater explanatory scope than the cases found in recent defenses of atheism by such scholars as Martin, Rowe, Le Poidevin, Smith, and Mackie, who do not defend atheism by appealing to the case for naturalism.
In chapter 2, Baggini sets forth his case for atheism. It includes (i) the absence of evidence of the supernatural; (ii) the physical dependence of the mind upon the brain; (iii) the simplicity of naturalism compared to supernatural alternatives, including theism; (iv) religious diversity; and (v) the problem of evil. Baggini concludes that atheism is the best explanation for these facts.
In chapter 3, Baggini discusses the relationship between atheism and ethics. His refutation of the idea that moral laws require a moral lawgiver is excellent. As he puts it, morality "is the basis upon which just laws are enacted and enforced; it is not constituted by the laws themselves" (p. 38). Thus, if we think of God as a moral lawgiver, God's laws will be moral only if "they conform to moral principles which are independent of God" (p. 38). Baggini also argues that an atheist ethics can combine features of Aristotelian, Kantian, and Utilitarian ethics.
In chapter 4, he explains a related issue, the relationship between atheism, meaning, and purpose. He refutes the idea that God is a necessary or sufficient condition for a meaningful life. As Baggini points out, just because a creator gives a purpose to its creature hardly makes the purpose significant *for the creature* (p. 59). Ultimately, life's ultimate purpose must be something which is intrinsically valuable. That something, he argues, is life itself. Moreover, immortality isn't required for a meaningful life, either. On the contrary, the inevitability of death is "what makes life so valuable in the first place" (p. 71).
In chapter 5, Baggini discusses atheism in history. Specifically, he discusses the emergence of atheism in Western civilization, as well as the claim that atheism was responsible for 20th century totalitarian atrocities. On the latter, he discusses the relationship between, atheism, Nazi Germany, and Soviet communism. Regarding Nazi Germany, Baggini correctly mentions Nazi Germany was not an atheist state. Moreover, "Nazi doctrines themselves were also at odds with the kind of rational naturalism of traditional atheism" (p. 84). As for Soviet communism, Baggini points out that the history of the Soviet Union was not somehow the consequence of atheist beliefs; what happened in Russia was partially the result of *militant* atheism. Atheism as such does not entail militant atheism, and Baggini argues against militant atheism throughout his book.
In chapter 6, Baggini addresses the claim that atheism is against religion. Atheism as such is only opposed to the truth of religion; it does not entail hostility towards religious believers. Baggini then briefly considers some arguments for God's existence, including the cosmological, teleological, and ontological arguments. Finally, he criticizes militant atheism.
In chapter 7, Baggini acknowledges some of the omissions of his book. He also talks about humanism as a type of positive atheism.
Perhaps the main fault that I find with Baggini's discussion of the case for naturalism, as well as his rebuttal to the case against it, lies in its incompleteness. Given Baggini's emphasis on atheism as a form of naturalism, it is surprising he did not also include evolution or the biological role of pain and pleasure. Moreover, his failure to mention divine hiddenness as evidence for atheism is odd. On the theistic side, I was struck by how Baggini neglected the so-called 'fine-tuning' argument and instead discussed merely the watchmaker argument, which even most theists reject.
The other important fault which I find with Baggini's book are his references to the idea of 'atheist ethics' or 'atheist morality,' as if there were clearly one atheistic approach to ethics. Since the only ethical implication of atheism is the falsity of the divine command theory, it seems to me this is a non sequitur. Baggini's discussion of an Aristotelian-Kantian-Utilitarian hybrid approach is fine as far as it goes, but he says nothing about the obvious objection that atheists have no basis for selecting that ethical theory over any other secular ethical theory.
Despite these two faults, I think that this book does an excellent job in introducing atheism. In particular, I am especially pleased with its emphasis on the case for naturalism. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in atheism.
Rating: 5
Summary: Clear, Concise, Entirely Accessable
Comment: I am an atheist, and even *I* learned a thing or two from this brief but rich tome. Baggini lays out a basic justification for an atheist worldview [which he equates fairly with naturalism] that goes beyond attacking theism and into positive justification for atheism as the better worldview. His style is direct, his tone affable, and in the end he comes up with a readable introduction than atheists and theists can both understand and appreciate.
If, in the future, someone asks me to recommend a book on atheism, I will be directing them to Baggini first.
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Title: Evolution: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Brian Charlesworth, Deborah Charlesworth ISBN: 0192802518 Publisher: Oxford Press Pub. Date: August, 2003 List Price(USD): $9.95 |
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Title: Choice Theory: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Michael Allingham ISBN: 0192803034 Publisher: Oxford University Press Pub. Date: October, 2002 List Price(USD): $9.95 |
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Title: Cosmology: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Peter Coles ISBN: 019285416X Publisher: Oxford Press Pub. Date: October, 2001 List Price(USD): $9.95 |
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Title: Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Edward Craig ISBN: 0192854216 Publisher: Oxford University Press Pub. Date: May, 2002 List Price(USD): $9.95 |
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