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"Comprehensive, representative, good guidance and advice", Dr Andrew Dawson, Chester College
"The selection of articles is exceptionally good for an introductory course in the subject. The questions are also useful for discussion in class and writing projects", Dr Victoria S Harrison, Birkbeck College
"The selection of articles is exceptionally good for an introductory course in the subject. The questions are also useful for discussion in class and writing projects", Dr Victoria S Harrison, Birkbeck College
Review
"Comprehensive, representative, good guidance and advice", Dr Andrew Dawson, Chester College "The selection of articles is exceptionally good for an introductory course in the subject. The questions are also useful for discussion in class and writing projects", Dr Victoria S Harrison, Birkbeck College
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Davies has succeeded in producing a standard text for those engaged in undergraduate study of philosophy of religion. The book is divided into the main sections of inquiry that the philosophy of religion is concerned with: religious language, arguments for and against the existence of God, reason and religious belief and the nature of God, etc. Within each section Davies presents a neat introductory chapter, detailing the elements of the argument that the book records and demonstrating the historical and conceptual dialectic that they form. The remainder of the section then holds the appropriate primary texts pertaining to his introduction.
Not only does this introduction and expositiong method demonstrate to the uninitated the form that philosophical discussion takes, it also provides an easily referencable starting point for essays and further research into the topic. This is enhanced by the excellent 'Notes on Contributers' at the beginning of the book, the thorough index at the close, and the questions for consideration at the end of each section.
The selection of texts may not be as broad as some anthologies, but what Davies seems to be aiming to do is build the confidence of the beginner within the safe and well defined structure of his book and this he does well. Adequate stimulus for futher research is provided in the suggested reading.
Davies must be congratulated on producing an easily understandable, eminently quotable guide to philosophy of religion. If you must chose between this and his 'An Introduction to the Philosophy if Religion' don't be distracted by the other's slimness and comparative cheapness: this is the superior book.
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3 reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
A well-rounded and well-executed effort
13 Dec 2001
Format:Paperback
There are a host of philosophy of religion books out there, so the question becomes what's the best way to get a well-rounded survey of the field. Davies solution is to pick plenty of articles with, what I perceive to be, a somewhat contemporary slant, and then carefully organize them according to topical groupings with overview-type introductions. Each topical grouping leads naturally into the next grouping, so debates early on are carried forward into new areas. I liked this book as soon as I came into contact with the desk copy, and having now read it, my first impressions were correct: a nice summary and guide for anyone who has already had an Introduction to Philosophy class. A class in Ancient and Medieval Philosophy would be very helpful too, though hardly necessary, for much medieval philosophy still influences issues in contemporary philosophy of religion.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Ideal textbook
15 Oct 2007
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Philosophy of Religion: A Guide to the Subject
This volume is extremely comprehensive, treating of most of the debated topics involved in a study of philosophy of religion. It is particularly valuable because it combines primary sources (dating back to Plato, with Thomas Aquinas a relative newcomer) with contemporary treatment of the still questioned premises. Brian Davies' introductions to each section are comprehensive, readable, and, though he clearly is a Thomist, present challenges to much traditional thought, Thomas' included.
One major element in the book's favour is that there is a wide scope of perspective. It is not 'selling' one point of view, Christian or otherwise, though the Christian philosophers are well represented. Students who thoroughly pursue this guide will be capable of forming their own arguments and conclusions - based not on 'feeling' or mere doctrine (or lack of same), but on the full range of sources which set forth or refute a particular viewpoint. The treatment of, for example, attributes of God is wide ranging, challenging, and adequate, with Davies' explanation of historical contexts, for the reader to have a solid understanding of concepts which can be highly puzzling.
I would recommend Brian Davies' other anthology, "Philosophy of Religion: A Guide to the Subject" (see link) as a companion volume for those who wish to pursue topics further. That book contains single essays, by prominent contemporary philosophers, each on one topic treated in detail in the Guide and Anthology. (It is less suited as a textbook, because those wishing to explore contemporary treatments will require the background information and diversity of views, throughout history, in the Guide and Anthology.)
Students are likely to find that whatever aspect of the subject they need to pursue is contained in this volume. It is a rich compendium, and one which I would recommend as the first book on the topic to add to one's shelf.
This volume is extremely comprehensive, treating of most of the debated topics involved in a study of philosophy of religion. It is particularly valuable because it combines primary sources (dating back to Plato, with Thomas Aquinas a relative newcomer) with contemporary treatment of the still questioned premises. Brian Davies' introductions to each section are comprehensive, readable, and, though he clearly is a Thomist, present challenges to much traditional thought, Thomas' included.
One major element in the book's favour is that there is a wide scope of perspective. It is not 'selling' one point of view, Christian or otherwise, though the Christian philosophers are well represented. Students who thoroughly pursue this guide will be capable of forming their own arguments and conclusions - based not on 'feeling' or mere doctrine (or lack of same), but on the full range of sources which set forth or refute a particular viewpoint. The treatment of, for example, attributes of God is wide ranging, challenging, and adequate, with Davies' explanation of historical contexts, for the reader to have a solid understanding of concepts which can be highly puzzling.
I would recommend Brian Davies' other anthology, "Philosophy of Religion: A Guide to the Subject" (see link) as a companion volume for those who wish to pursue topics further. That book contains single essays, by prominent contemporary philosophers, each on one topic treated in detail in the Guide and Anthology. (It is less suited as a textbook, because those wishing to explore contemporary treatments will require the background information and diversity of views, throughout history, in the Guide and Anthology.)
Students are likely to find that whatever aspect of the subject they need to pursue is contained in this volume. It is a rich compendium, and one which I would recommend as the first book on the topic to add to one's shelf.
great buy!
28 Sep 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I needed this book for my philosophy of religion class and I was glad to find the book at a price that was cheaper than the campus book store. Great condition and has all the same content as the version sold here.
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