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" Irreligion : "
John Allen Paulos
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BL
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| Record Number
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659839
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dltt
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| Main Entry
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Paulos, John Allen
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| Title & Author
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Irreligion : : a mathematician explains why the arguments for God just don't add up /\ John Allen Paulos
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| Edition Statement
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1st pbk. ed
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| Publication Statement
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New York :: Hill and Wang,, 2009
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| Page. NO
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xvii, 158 p. ;; 19 cm
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| ISBN
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9780809059188 (pbk.)
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: 0809059185 (pbk.)
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| Notes
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Includes index
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| Contents
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[Pt. 1]. Four classical arguments. -- The argument from first cause (and unnecessary intermediaries) -- The argument from design (and some creationist calculations) -- A personally crafted pseudoscience -- The argument from the anthropic principle (and a probabilistic doomsday) -- The ontological argument (and logical abracadabra) -- Self-reference, recursion, and creation -- [pt. 2]. Four subjective arguments. -- The argument from coincidence (and 9/11 oddities) -- The argument from prophecy (and the Bible codes) -- An anecdote on emotional need -- The argument from subjectivity (and faith, emptiness, and self) -- The argument from interventions (and miracles, prayers, and witnesses) -- Remarks on Jesus and other figures -- [pt. 3]. Four psycho-mathematical arguments. -- The argument from redefinition (and incomprehensible complexity) -- The argument from cognitive tendency (and some simple programs) -- My dreamy instant message exchange with God -- The universality argument (and the relevance of morality and mathematics) -- The gambling argument (and emotions from prudence to fear) -- Atheists, agnostics, and "brights"
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| Abstract
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Are there any logical reasons to believe in God? Mathematician Paulos thinks not. Here he presents the case for his own worldview, organizing his book into twelve chapters that refute the twelve arguments most often put forward for believing in God's existence. Interspersed among his twelve counterarguments are remarks on a variety of irreligious themes, ranging from the nature of miracles and creationist probability to cognitive illusions and prudential wagers. Special attention is paid to topics, arguments, and questions that spring from his incredulity "not only about religion but also about others' credulity." Despite the strong influence of his day job, Paulos says, there isn't a single mathematical formula in the book.--From publisher description
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| Subject
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Atheism
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| Dewey Classification
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212/.1
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| LC Classification
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BL2775.3.P38 2009
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