The Miracle of Theism: Arguments for and against the Existence of God: Amazon.ca: J. L. Mackie: Books

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The late John L. Mackie, formerly of University College, Oxford

About the Author

J. L. Mackie is at University College, Oxford.

Inside This Book (Learn More)

First Sentence
TRADITIONAL theism, as defined in the Introduction, does not explicitly include any contrast between the natural and the supernatural. Read the first page

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Concordance

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14 Reviews

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4.3 out of 5 stars (14 customer reviews)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Modern Analytic Arguments for and against God, April 3 2002

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D. S. Heersink "D. Stephen Heersink" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Miracle of Theism: Arguments for and against the Existence of God (Paperback)

This book, together with Swinburne's "Coherence of Theism," is among the most valuable books on the philosophy of religion from an Anglo-American analytical-philosophical perspective. While Swinburne goes back to Anselm and Aquinas, this book considers mostly post-1500 theodicy, still covering the ontological argument from Descartes' and a posteriori arguments from Hume. The full spectrum of the arguments for and against God are here, including Kant, Newman, Kierkegaard, James, Phillips, Leslie, Kung, et alia.

First, a brief exposition of a philosopher's argument is surveyed, followed by an analysis of where the philosopher's strengths and weaknesses lie. There is even a section on the most notorious of all arguments against the existence of God: the existence of evil. In the final analysis, Mackie believes theism is itself a mircle, hence the title. Overall, this book makes a significant contribution to beginning philosophy students who want a rigorous examination of the crucial questions of God's existence and non-existence. The writing is clear, generally concise, exceptionally well-constructed, and only occasionally labyrinthine.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars AtheistWorld.Com Book Review, July 24 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Miracle of Theism: Arguments for and against the Existence of God (Paperback)

While other author] goes back to Anselm and Aquinas, this book previews mostly post-1500 theodicy, while still getting the ontological argument from Anselm an a posteriori cosmological arguments largely ascribed to Aquinas. The full spectrum of the arguments for and against God are here: first, in a brief exposition of a philosopher from the past, then in an analysis of where the philosopher's strengths and weaknesses lie. There is even a section on the most notorious of all arguments against the existence of God: the existence of evil. Overall, this book makes a significant contribution to beginning philosophy students who want a rigorous examination of the crucial questions of God's existence and non-existence. The writing is clear, concise, coherent, and exceptionally well-constructed. Mackie is must reading for all serious philosophers of religion.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book., Aug 12 2000

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Nick Smith (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Miracle of Theism: Arguments for and against the Existence of God (Paperback)

Mackie is thorough and fair in his analysis and subsequent destruction of the case for 'rational theism'. This book is a must read for theists and atheists alike, and of course a standard text for any university student. In dealing with the problem of evil Mackie is convincing, but perhaps not forcful enough in his conclusion, but overall this is an excellent book.

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Wait a minute
I love how some of the reviewers can say that this book is the ultimate word and has the final say, etc. Read more

Published on April 5 2003 by John T. Wilson

5.0 out of 5 stars Modern Analytic Arguments for and against God
This book,... is among the most valuable books on the philosophy of religion from an Anglo-American philosophical perspective. Read more

Published on April 4 2002 by D. S. Heersink