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6. Paris
Tom Sorell
in Descartes: A Very Short Introduction
‘Paris’ describes the period 1626–8 when Descartes was resident there. He must have been aware of the controversies concerning atheism and scepticism that were rife in the city, but ...
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2. The case for atheism
Julian Baggini
in Atheism: A Very Short Introduction
‘The case for atheism’ summarises atheism as the position that is best supported by the evidence and the one that offers the best overall explanation for why the world is as it is and ...
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Introduction
Robin Le Poidevin
in Agnosticism: A Very Short Introduction
Agnosticism: A Very Short Introduction considers anti-agnostic attitudes and asks: if we can't establish God's existence, shouldn't there be a presumption of atheism? The ...
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5. Humanism and secularism
Stephen Law
in Humanism: A Very Short Introduction
Humanism involves a commitment to secularism, but what is it? Does it mean more than ‘not religious’? To a humanist, a secularist society is one in which there may be religions but the ...
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5. What is to be Done? How to respond to nihilism
Simon Critchley
in Continental Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction
‘What is to be Done? How to respond to nihilism’ asks: how is freedom to take effect in the world of nature, if the latter is governed by causality and mechanistically determined by the ...
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1. What is atheism?
Julian Baggini
in Atheism: A Very Short Introduction
Atheism is defined as the belief that there is no God or gods. ‘What is atheism?’ aims to provide a positive view of atheism, one which does not make the mistake of thinking that atheism ...
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Introduction: what is humanism?
Stephen Law
in Humanism: A Very Short Introduction
There are various connotations to the word ‘humanism’. In the broadest terms, it means a system of thought in which human values, interests, and dignity are considered especially important. ...
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4. Humanism and morality
Stephen Law
in Humanism: A Very Short Introduction
Humanists deal with moral questions about what we ought or ought not to do. Ethics features highly in humanism. When considering morality, religious people ask the following questions: how ...
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6. Against religion?
Julian Baggini
in Atheism: A Very Short Introduction
Atheist opposition to religion is essentially an opposition to its truth. So it is necessary for any defence of atheism to address the challenge posed by religious belief. ‘Against ...
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11. The Meditations
Tom Sorell
in Descartes: A Very Short Introduction
The Meditations had an unusual literary form, suited both to its official billing as demonstrating Christian truths, and to Descartes' agenda of destroying the principles underlying ...
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2. Origins of Continental Philosophy: How to get from Kant to German Idealism
Simon Critchley
in Continental Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction
‘Origins of Continental Philosophy: How to get from Kant to German Idealism’ considers the historical development of Continental philosophy, beginning by distinguishing it from analytic ...
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Atheism: A Very Short Introduction
Julian Baggini
Atheism is often considered to be a negative, dark, and pessimistic belief that is characterized by a rejection of values and purpose and a fierce opposition to religion. Atheism: A Very ...
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Agnosticism: A Very Short Introduction
Robin Le Poidevin
Agnosticism: A Very Short Introduction asks if there is more to agnosticism than merely the absence of belief. What is agnosticism? Who were the first to call themselves ...
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3. Is agnosticism necessary?
Robin Le Poidevin
in Agnosticism: A Very Short Introduction
‘Is agnosticism necessary?’ examines the responses of agnosticism to atheism. Atheism does not require a defence, rather it is up to theists to convince us that there is a God. If there is ...
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Humanism: A Very Short Introduction
Stephen Law
Humanism: A Very Short Introduction explores how humanism uses science and reason to make sense of the world, looking at how it encourages individual moral responsibility and ...
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2. Arguments for the existence of God
Stephen Law
in Humanism: A Very Short Introduction
Humanists think that belief in a God is not especially reasonable or justified. ‘Arguments for the existence of God’ presents two popular arguments to explain why there is a God and ...
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2. Roots
James Como
in C. S. Lewis: A Very Short Introduction
‘Roots’ recounts Clive Staples Lewis’s early life in a close-knit Christian family—his parents, Albert and Flora, and his brother, Warren—in County Down, Northern Ireland. His atheism was ...
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5. Atheism in history
Julian Baggini
in Atheism: A Very Short Introduction
‘Atheism in history’ is concerned with two specific questions that need to be answered as part of the wider argument for atheism. The first is when and why atheism emerged in Western ...
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