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Who or what is God? How can we know God? Many people believe in God; not just throughout history but also in the present day. But who or what is it they believe in? Many different and sometimes conflicting answers have been suggested to this question. God: A Very Short Introduction explores some of the answers provided by philosophers, poets, and theologians, and considers why some people believe in God and others do not. It considers how each major religion established their own distinctive beliefs about God and how they each interpret His existence, and concludes by looking at how our understanding of God continues to evolve.Less

Philosophy in the Islamic World: A Very Short Introduction explores the history of philosophy among Muslims, Jews, and Christians living in Islamic lands, from its historical background to thinkers in the twentieth century. It introduces the main philosophical themes of the Islamic world, integrating ideas from the Islamic and Abrahamic faiths to consider the broad philosophical questions that continue to invite debate: what is the relationship between reason and religious belief? What is the possibility of proving God’s existence? What is the nature of knowledge? This VSI challenges the assumption of the cultural decline of philosophy and science in the Islamic world by demonstrating its rich heritage and overlap with other faiths and philosophies.Less

Philosophy of Religion: A Very Short Introduction introduces the field of philosophy of religion, and engages with some of the most burning questions that philosophers discuss. Considering how ‘religion’ should be defined, and whether we even need to be able to define it in order to engage in the philosophy of religion, it goes on to discuss whether the existence of God matters. Exploring the problem of evil, this VSI debates the connection between faith and reason, and the related question of what role reason should play in religious contexts. Shedding light on the relationship between science and religion, it finishes by considering the topics of reincarnation and the afterlife.Less