The God Confusion: Why Nobody Knows the Answer to the Ultimate Question

Description

What is God? Does he exist? Can we know? The God Confusion offers a down-to-earth beginner's guide for anyone interested in these questions. It does not evangelize for God and religion or, indeed, for atheism, secularism and science. Instead, it explores in a witty yet objective and balanced way the idea of God and the strengths and weaknesses of the standard arguments for his existence. Gary Cox shows that the philosophical reasoning at the heart of these arguments is logically incapable of moving beyond speculation to any kind of proof. The only credible philosophical position is therefore agnosticism. The God Confusion defends science generally and the theory of evolution in particular. It argues that if religion is not to appear increasingly outdated and ridiculous in the eyes of free-thinking, educated people, it must accommodate science and accept that science has replaced the old God of the gaps as an explanation of natural phenomena. Concluding that God may or may not exist, on the grounds that science, philosophy and theology are inherently incapable of proving or disproving his existence, The God Confusion acknowledges that religious faith based on a deliberate commitment to live as though there is a moral God is a coherent notion and a worthwhile, even prudent enterprise. At the same time, it rejects the idea of inner certainty as mere wishful thinking, arguing that it is not a coherent basis for belief and is simply bad faith.

Gary Cox has a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Birmingham, UK, where he is also an Honorary Research Fellow.

Cox's writing style is engaging, as he is thoughtful and playful in his word crafting and uses numerous illustrations from medieval, modern and contemporary thought to support his presentation of arguments. -- Romero D' Souza, Divyadaan: Salesian Institute of Philosophy, India * Theological Book Review * Cox writes that faith in God is not logical, but it can be beneficial to live as if God exists. It gives purpose and meaning and helps people to ground their ethics in this foundation. One can realize the uncertainty of God's existence and yet derive benefit from choosing belief. -- Terry Maksymowych * Catholic Library World * A readable little book on philosophical arguments for and against God. The tone is much more temperate than that of some recent atheistic writers. It sets out a clear definition of God, and examines most of the main arguments for and against God. It is by a good philosopher, and sets out very clearly the sorts of arguments you will hear in the analytical philosophical tradition of most British universities. If you want to know and think about those arguments, this is a good book to help you to do so ... Readers will find here a very good example of clear, considered thought. -- Canon Keith Ward, Emeritus Regius Professor of Divinity, Oxford University * Church Times * Mentioned in The Blade -- TK Barger * The Blade *