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Atheism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) (Paperback)

by Julian Baggini (Author) "When I was a child I attended a Roman Catholic primary school ..." (more)
3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
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Product details

  • Paperback: 136 pages
  • Publisher: OUP Oxford (26 Jun 2003)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0192804243
  • ISBN-13: 978-0192804242
  • Product Dimensions: 17.2 x 11 x 1.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 126,353 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #29 in  Books > Mind, Body & Spirit > Other Religious & Spiritual Practices > Agnosticism & Atheism

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Product Description

Product Description

Atheism is often considered to be a negative, dark, and pessimistic belief which is characterized by a rejection of values and purpose and a fierce opposition to religion. Atheism: A Very Short Introduction sets out to dispel the myths that surround atheism and show how a life without religious belief can be positive, meaningful, and moral. It also confronts the failure of officially atheist states in the Twentieth Century. The book presents an intellectual case for atheism that rests as much upon positive arguments for its truth as on negative arguments against religion.


About the Author

Julian Baggini is editor and co-founder of The Philosophers' Magazine. He is the author of several books on philosophy including Making Sense: Philosophy Behind the Headlines and New British Philosophy: The Interviews (with Jeremy Stangroom). He has also written for newspapers, magazines and academic journals.
Inside This Book (Learn More)
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When I was a child I attended a Roman Catholic primary school. Read the first page
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48 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Atheism - a very short introduction, 30 Jun 2003
By J. Woodhouse "jan woodhouse" (Norfolk, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Julian Baggini's 'very short introduction' is timely. In a world which - commendably - is increasingly multicultural and respectful of diversity (including religious diversity), atheism finds itself out on a limb and needing to defend itself.
Perhaps (and I am one of the already converted) this shouldn't be necessary. J Baggini invokes an analogy whereby 'Nessies'- those who believe in a Loch Ness Monster - become the norm, so that unbelievers need to be labelled 'Annessies'. Similarly, in a world where so many people believe in a god or gods, 'atheism has come to be defined in contrast to theism'.
J Baggini sets out to do several important things. Firstly, he promotes a positive case for atheism, making clear that it is not to be equated with negativity and denial. Secondly, he separates morality and ethics from both theism and atheism, shifting responsibility on to individual choice. Thirdly, he dispels the notion that without religion life becomes meaningless and purposeless, and suggests that sufficient purpose can be gained from living in the world we know rather than in some nebulous hereafter. Fourthly, he shows that atheism is part of a historic progression from superstition to rational explanation. Finally - and importantly - he advocates the 'quiet voice of reason', rather than dogmatic and table-thumping atheism. Militancy from any point of view, he recognises, begets increased defensiveness and entrenchment.
I hope that this little book, with its quiet voice of reason, gives food for thought, and even reasurrance, to those who may be hovering on the brink of atheism and, for whatever reason, feel hesitation in coming out.
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47 of 53 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction, but not for everyone, 21 Oct 2003
By A Customer
If you're atheist or that side of agnostism, this is an excellent little book. It presents a positive and rational case for atheism, based on a naturalistic (or humanistic) approach. Of particular interest are the sketched arguments for why atheists can be moral, good, purposeful and productive (and not twisted and evil), without the need for otherwordly guidance. I found it a heartening book as I feel it presents a pithy case for why not all atheists are dogmatic religion bashers. Atheists simply don't believe in supernatural explanation -- just natural ones. But they can have these beliefs with their morallity, rationality and dignity intact.

But this book isn't for everyone. For people who do have faith (of whatever type) in the supernatural, the arguments and comments presented will simply be either offensive or blatantly and barkingly wrong! To the atheist they will be rational and well argued.

Overall, an excellent contribution to the VSI series.

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23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A great small book - powerful but not militant, 5 Oct 2005
By Michael Murauer "mmurauer" (Deggendorf; Niederbayern) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Let me just tell what I like especially about this concentrated presentation of arguments for atheism. Baggini always keeps a realistic sight on psychological und social facts. He starts off describing how religious education - though experienced in a moderate and relatively little indoctrinating form - nevertheless succeeded in embedding in his mind a connection of atheism and moral inferiority to stay for ever at least on a half-conscious, emotional level. An experience probably not to unusual and - apart from this - pointing to the general limits of changing convictions by rational argument. Later he demonstrates very convincingly why we shouldn't consider theism and atheism to be just intellectually equal types of faith: "The atheist believes in what she has good reason to believe in and doesn't believe in supernatural entities that there are few reasons to believe in, none of them strong. If this is a faith position then the amount of faith required is extremely small." In chapters on "Atheist ethics" and "Meaning and purpose" the author does away with the prejudice that atheism is just or predominantly negative. Very rewarding in the historical section on atheism is the discussion how far atheism might to be blamed for the crimes of totalitarian leaders and ideologies in the 20th century. Just read the book. It fits in your pocket to be taken everywhere!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A tour of atheism - quicker and gentler than usual!
For the most part, this Very Short Introduction is a lively and enjoyable little guide which sets out to counter various myths about atheism and to make it more palatable to the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. Malpas

5.0 out of 5 stars Reasoned and considerate
At last, a book on atheism that doesn't fall into the trap of poking fun at believers: instead, it presents a reasonable and objective case 'for' atheism rather than 'against'... Read more
Published 9 months ago by K

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a fair account
A number of readers will come across this book thinking it to be some form of 'God Delusion' style rebuttal of religion. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Tufty

5.0 out of 5 stars Atheism - The Only Proposition Supported By The Evidence


If you've ever wondered what an atheist really thinks then this book is a pretty accurate account. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Fred

1.0 out of 5 stars The most uncritical, biased, flawed book of reasoning I have ever read!
I was for once going to read an atheistic book in the hopes that it would be unbiased and actually give reasons for its own worldview instead of merely pointing out the faults... Read more
Published 20 months ago by A. Jeans

5.0 out of 5 stars "Why I Am Not a Christian..."
... and neither a follower of whatsoever other faiths else.

This book is about a strange thing, a non-belief that has got its own name. Read more
Published on 13 May 2007 by Andreas P. Rauch

4.0 out of 5 stars Short - and sharp
In "Atheism: A Very Short Introduction" Julian Baggini has done his job with impressive efficiency. There is neat and clear coverage of the critical topics: morality and purpose... Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2007 by M. Clegg

5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for anybody considering calling themselves an Atheist.
I think one of the main problems Atheism faces is not only misunderstanding from those who are theistic, but a lack effort to understand what Atheism really is by the secular, and... Read more
Published on 18 Dec 2006 by M. J. Bridges

1.0 out of 5 stars A straw-man of atheistic apologetics
Baggini's introduction to atheism (which turns out to be an introduction to metaphysical naturalism) is unfortunately stuffed with many attacks upon 'straw-men'. Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2004 by Mr. Peter S. Williams

1.0 out of 5 stars A blemish on an otherwise perfect series...
Although I dont profess to have read every single VSI publication - I have, over the years, read and re-read a great number of these frankly marvellous books. Read more
Published on 22 Sep 2003 by Andrew Powley

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