Table of Contents

Preface 1. Proving the Existence of God? 2. Philosophical Proofs and Religious Commitment 3. The Problem of Evil 4. The Problem of Goodness 5. The Moriarty Hypothesis 6. Dummy Hypotheses 7. The Appeal to Faith 8. Skepticism About Faith 9. The Theodicy Trap 10. The Problem of Meaning 11. Miracles 12. God Without Religion 13. Playing the Odds 14. Why Worship God? 15. Religions 16. Religion Without God 17. Heaven and Hell 18. Life Without God 19. A Religious Life About the Author Notes Index

Promotional Information

Are faith and reason, religion and science doomed to a constant struggle for the heart and future of humanity? Steven M. Cahn believes that they are not connected in any essential way: even if God exists, religion may not be justified, and even if religion is justified, belief in God may not be. In Religion Within Reason, Cahn argues that the common understanding of the relationship between religion and supernaturalism is flawed, and that, while supernaturalism is not reasonable, religious commitment may well be.

About the Author

Steven M. Cahn is professor of philosophy at the City University of New York Graduate Center. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including Happiness and Goodness: Philosophical Reflection on Living Well (2015); Polishing Your Prose: How to Turn First Drafts Into Finished Work (2013); and From Student to Scholar: A Candid Guide to Becoming a Professor (2008), all published by Columbia University Press.

Reviews

In this highly accessible work, Steven Cahn, a leading philosopher of our generation, exposes-in brilliant and vivid ways-the irrationality of the classical defenses of theism. Notwithstanding the book's devastating takedown of religious faith, Cahn argues for the potential benefits of living a religious life and engaging in religious ritual. This work is a must-read for anyone struggling with whether religion can withstand the scrutiny of contemporary analytical philosophy. The ideas in this clever, colorful, and enjoyable book might very well change your life. I know it did mine. -- Dov Weiss, Assistant Professor, Department of Religion, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign A lively and lucid book. Even theists will acknowledge that Cahn has built a clever, accessible and formidable case. -- David Shatz, Ronald P. Stanton University Professor of Philosophy, Ethics, and Religious Thought, Yeshiva University Cahn's discussion engagingly examines each point from a commitment to the methods of scientific inquiry. We also receive something else: a thoughtful conception of how to live. Cahn engages us rationally and, in the process, inspires. -- Peter Markie, Curators' Distinguished Teaching Professor, University of Missouri The book's primary contribution lies in its distinctive clarity and accessibility. Given all the attention lately to religious conviction and its (alleged) importance for morality, citizenship, patriotism, and civilization as such, there is need for this short, concise, but impactful book making the case against God's existence but allowing for the goodness of a religious life. -- Robert Talisse, W. Alton Jones Professor and Chair of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University