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Title: The Probability of God : A Simple Calculation That Proves the Ultimate Truth by Stephen D. Unwin ISBN: 0-7615-2684-6 Publisher: Crown Forum Pub. Date: 23 September, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.06 (17 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Really Unique
Comment: This book is pretty unique, and a lot different than I expected. It's funny but deep and authoritative at the same time. It seems pretty bold to calculate the probability that God exists, but the author does it anyway. What's interesting is that he doesn't rely on the usual old arguments of intelligent design of the universe as the case in favor of God. In fact, he completely blows away that sort of argument. His cases for and against God seem balanced, so his conclusions seem convincing. This is definitely worth a read.
Rating: 5
Summary: An original book on religion - what were the odds?
Comment: Probability of God is a wonderful book. I am a person of faith and a scientist (chemist). As such I tend to struggle with some of the beliefs held by my fellow faithful, particularly beliefs that my education has made unavailable to me. The reason I love this book is that it provides a very eloquent and powerful basis for faith that doesn't intrude on the magnificent achievements of science.
The thought process that Unwin goes through is very original - and originality is not a word I often associate with books on religious themes, which tend to be stale and repetitive. The probability numbers are fun, but that's not where I see the value of this book. The idea that uncertainty about religious ideas has a positive benefit is the most intruiging to me, i.e., faith needs uncertainty. I noticed an earlier reviewer said this book is not for the certain on either side of the debate. I agree completely.
This book is a very quick read given the weight of the subject matter. I found it fun, edifying, and very uplifting.
Rating: 5
Summary: Witty, delightfully humorous, and thought provoking
Comment: Would I recommend this book? -- most certainly! In fact I have purchased additional copies for my church library and for a few "no nonsense friends." Given the nature of the subject, the book is a relatively quick read: 6-8 hours more or less, depending on a reader's interest in performing a personalized assessment in parallel with the author's.
The value of the book is not in its theology, but rather in the questions posed, and the structural and analytical tools provided to the reader. I especially appreciate that the author focuses on equipping inquisitive readers with a methodology for identifying, structuring, and assessing their own beliefs, and not on defending a particular position or belief. The pluralism allowed by the author's approach is indeed a welcome relief to dogmatic positions so often manned in matters of religion. Posturing and "Is" and "Is not" positioning are absent from this book. Readers are free to select and evaluate their own beliefs. The author's perspective encourages contemplation, not fortification.
Thankfully, the writing is witty and at tiimes delightfully humorous. The author skillfully balances the sophisitcated logic that underlies Bayesian analytical technique (more nearly the subject of the book), with light-hearted and sometimes penetrating examples. The author's discussion implies truths imbedded in probability and decision analysis methodology. 1.) Statment of the premise has a direct effect on the analytical result: i.e., careful the question, lest the indication provided by the analysis point east rather than north. 2.) In order to be meaningful Bayesian analysis must be rigorously structured and consistently applied; there-in resides the strength of a mathematical approach. 3.) Once "premise" and "structure" are established, results of alternate determinants can be calculated with minimal effort. 4.) And finally, results of iterative analyses give rise to insights as to which determinants drive results and therefore the direction of the decision.
An unexpected side benefit of the book is the interest it sparks for gaining additional understanding of the development of probabilistic thinkiing and methodology. Unwin's THE PROBABILITY OF GOD are shelved alongside Bernstein's AGAINST THE GODS, and Hacking's THE TAMING OF CHANCE: good reading all.
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Title: God at the Speed of Light by T. Lee, MD Baumann, T. Lee Baumann ISBN: 0876044399 Publisher: A.R.E. Press Pub. Date: 25 February, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: The Impossibility of God by Michael Martin, Ricki Monnier ISBN: 1591021200 Publisher: Prometheus Books Pub. Date: December, 2003 List Price(USD): $32.00 |
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Title: Unintelligent Design by Mark Perakh ISBN: 1591020840 Publisher: Prometheus Books Pub. Date: December, 2003 List Price(USD): $32.00 |
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Title: Modern Physics and Ancient Faith by Stephen M. Barr ISBN: 0268034710 Publisher: Univ of Notre Dame Pr Pub. Date: March, 2003 List Price(USD): $30.00 |
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Title: God?: A Debate Between a Christian and an Atheist (Point/Counterpoint Series (Oxford, England).) by William Lane Craig, Walter Sinnott-Armstrong ISBN: 0195165993 Publisher: Oxford University Press Pub. Date: August, 2003 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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