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God & Philosophy
In this classic primer to the philosophy of religion, Antony Flew subjects a wide range of philosophical arguments for the existence of the Christian God to intense critical scrutiny. However, the rumour in some circles is that Flew - long-time advocate of atheistic humanism - has become a theist. Judge for yourself.
- GenresPhilosophyReligion
210 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1966
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About the author
Antony Flew
95 books123 followersAntony Garrard Newton Flew (11 February 1923 – 8 April 2010) was a British philosopher. Belonging to the analytic and evidentialist schools of thought, he was notable for his works on the philosophy of religion.
Flew was a strong advocate of atheism, arguing that one should presuppose atheism until empirical evidence of a God surfaces. He also criticised the idea of life after death, the free will defence to the problem of evil, and the meaningfulness of the concept of God. In 2003 he was one of the signers of the Humanist Manifesto. However, in 2004 he stated an allegiance to deism, more specifically a belief in the Aristotelian God, stating that in keeping his lifelong commitment to go where the evidence leads, he now believes in the existence of God.
He later wrote the book There is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind, with contributions from Roy Abraham Varghese. This book (and Flew's conversion itself) has been the subject of controversy, following an article in the New York Times magazine alleging that Flew had mentally declined, and that Varghese was the primary author. The matter remains contentious, with some commentators including PZ Myers and Richard Carrier supporting the allegations, and others, including Flew himself, opposing them.
Flew was a strong advocate of atheism, arguing that one should presuppose atheism until empirical evidence of a God surfaces. He also criticised the idea of life after death, the free will defence to the problem of evil, and the meaningfulness of the concept of God. In 2003 he was one of the signers of the Humanist Manifesto. However, in 2004 he stated an allegiance to deism, more specifically a belief in the Aristotelian God, stating that in keeping his lifelong commitment to go where the evidence leads, he now believes in the existence of God.
He later wrote the book There is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind, with contributions from Roy Abraham Varghese. This book (and Flew's conversion itself) has been the subject of controversy, following an article in the New York Times magazine alleging that Flew had mentally declined, and that Varghese was the primary author. The matter remains contentious, with some commentators including PZ Myers and Richard Carrier supporting the allegations, and others, including Flew himself, opposing them.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 12, 2024
A FAMED PHILOSOPHICAL ATHEIST (at the time, at least) CRITIQUES GOD-ARGUMENTS
Antony Garrard Newton Flew (1923-2010) was a British philosopher, and formerly a noteworthy advocate of atheism, until his 2004 change of mind (see 'There Is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind'). He wrote such influential books as 'The Presumption of Atheism and Other (Philosophical) Essays on God, Freedom and Immortality'; he also participated in debates/dialogues such as 'The Warren-Flew Debate on the Existence of God,' 'Does God Exist?: The Great Debate,' 'Does God Exist?: The Craig-Flew Debate,' 'Did the Resurrection Happen?: A Conversation with Gary Habermas and Antony Flew', 'Resurrected?: An Atheist and Theist Dialogue,' 'Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?: The Resurrection Debate, 'etc.
NOTE: This book was first published in 1966; Flew has since (after his "change" to belief in God) issued a revised version with an explanatory Foreword.
He argues, "As Creator [God] could not decide simply to leave to their own devices creatures already autonomously existing. He both designs and makes them in full knowledge and determination of all that they will ever do or fail to do. As Creator he must be first cause, prime mover, supporter, and controller of every thought and action throughout his utterly dependent universe. In short: if creation is in, autonomy is out." (Pg. 47)
He suggests, "there are many evils which it scarcely seems either are or could be redeemed ... animal suffering, for instance... If we consider, as most of us do, that---say---failure to put a grievously suffering beast out of its misery constitutes a gross defect from human decency, then it is surely inconsistent to concede that a Creator neglecting to do the same could be perfectly good." (Pg. 54-55)
He contends that the character of religious experiences "seems to depend on the interests, background, and expectations of those who have them rather than upon anything separate and autonomous... the expert natural historian of religious experience would be altogether astounded to hear of the vision of Bernadette Soubirous occurring not to a Roman Catholic at Lourdes but to a Hindu in Benares, or of Apollo manifest not in classical Delphi but in Kyoto under the Shoguns." (Pg. 126-127)
Although Flew famously changed in mind about God in 2004, his earlier arguments are still of great interest for anyone studying the philosophy of religion.
Antony Garrard Newton Flew (1923-2010) was a British philosopher, and formerly a noteworthy advocate of atheism, until his 2004 change of mind (see 'There Is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind'). He wrote such influential books as 'The Presumption of Atheism and Other (Philosophical) Essays on God, Freedom and Immortality'; he also participated in debates/dialogues such as 'The Warren-Flew Debate on the Existence of God,' 'Does God Exist?: The Great Debate,' 'Does God Exist?: The Craig-Flew Debate,' 'Did the Resurrection Happen?: A Conversation with Gary Habermas and Antony Flew', 'Resurrected?: An Atheist and Theist Dialogue,' 'Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?: The Resurrection Debate, 'etc.
NOTE: This book was first published in 1966; Flew has since (after his "change" to belief in God) issued a revised version with an explanatory Foreword.
He argues, "As Creator [God] could not decide simply to leave to their own devices creatures already autonomously existing. He both designs and makes them in full knowledge and determination of all that they will ever do or fail to do. As Creator he must be first cause, prime mover, supporter, and controller of every thought and action throughout his utterly dependent universe. In short: if creation is in, autonomy is out." (Pg. 47)
He suggests, "there are many evils which it scarcely seems either are or could be redeemed ... animal suffering, for instance... If we consider, as most of us do, that---say---failure to put a grievously suffering beast out of its misery constitutes a gross defect from human decency, then it is surely inconsistent to concede that a Creator neglecting to do the same could be perfectly good." (Pg. 54-55)
He contends that the character of religious experiences "seems to depend on the interests, background, and expectations of those who have them rather than upon anything separate and autonomous... the expert natural historian of religious experience would be altogether astounded to hear of the vision of Bernadette Soubirous occurring not to a Roman Catholic at Lourdes but to a Hindu in Benares, or of Apollo manifest not in classical Delphi but in Kyoto under the Shoguns." (Pg. 126-127)
Although Flew famously changed in mind about God in 2004, his earlier arguments are still of great interest for anyone studying the philosophy of religion.
December 31, 2022
no está mal
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May 11, 2023سلام . این سایت آمازون خوراک محققین و کتایبخون ها باید باشه.
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March 8, 2025wa tbi
September 25, 2010
This is Flew in his right mind (1966): a philosopher touring the major sites of religious thinking (Order and Design, Existence and Causality, Meaning and Morality, Religious Experience, Miracle and History, Authority and Faith), and finding out what went right and (more often) what it went wrong. Flew is right that philosophy of religion provides an ideal introduction to philosophy in general. He's right, too, that to accept - as I'm afraid most Americans today to - Karl Barth's notion that "belief cannot argue with unbelief; it can only preach to it," is to "recognize a cold war of the mind; in which there can be no room for genuine and fruitful dialogue between the enlightened and the unenlightened," which is also, ultimately, "to despair not only of reason but of human solidarity."
July 15, 2012
A rather good, but dated, introduction to the philosophy of religion (mainly theism). Flew's writing style is a bit different, and sometimes difficult. Otherwise, he seems to give a fairly good treatment of theistic arguments (a lot of Aquinas), and provides some standard - and novel- objections. The scope is the book is rather limited, though. So this will not provide a complete overview to contemporary (or even 20th century) philosophy of religion; however, it is a good start.
March 14, 2007
A good handbook for athiests. Well, the boring, non-Marxist, libertarian kind.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews