Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Hill and Wang (2008), Edition: First Edition, Hardcover, 176 pages
Description
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.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member nbmars
John Allen Paulos has written a breezy, but cogent, debunking of most of the "logical" arguments for the existence of God. Most of Paulos's arguments come down to Occam's razor. Positing the existence of God is not necessary to explain any of the phenomena discussed and is usually just an
This book, like the recent efforts of Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, and Richard Dawkins, is important in our absurdly pious and largely hypocritical political campaign. He seems to be saying to Americans, "Hasn't anyone here heard of the Enlightenment?" He quotes one of Voltaire's most telling epigrams: "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
His final chapter is an exhortation to other infidels to make themselves heard since there are plenty of them, even though they are members of one of the least trusted categories of people in American society.
(JAB)
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extraneous step in the ostensible argument. Some of the arguments for God's existence are merely logical ledgermain [sorry Anselm] that don't have God as a valid conclusion.This book, like the recent efforts of Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, and Richard Dawkins, is important in our absurdly pious and largely hypocritical political campaign. He seems to be saying to Americans, "Hasn't anyone here heard of the Enlightenment?" He quotes one of Voltaire's most telling epigrams: "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
His final chapter is an exhortation to other infidels to make themselves heard since there are plenty of them, even though they are members of one of the least trusted categories of people in American society.
(JAB)
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LibraryThing member gcorrell
Surprisingly thin. Paulos' earlier works are meaty, slim volumes on innumeracy. This one covers the territory but rambles; enjoyable if taken as the notes from an interesting dinner conversation with a smart guy, but isn't structured well enough for the lay reader. And the omission of Popperian
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falsifiability is astonishing. Show Less
LibraryThing member Devil_llama
Sounds like it should be better than it is. The arguments are sound, but somehow it just isn't compelling reading.
LibraryThing member fpagan
The subtitle just about says it all; 149 short pages do the job once over lightly. I've sometimes thought that math could be a good area for religious people to redirect their energies toward, but I guess they lack the requisite brainpower.
LibraryThing member fakelvis
Meh.
Using mathematical logical to argue against the belief in God(s). Treading old ground with a more rigorously logical approach. Could have been far better if it went further, but for the arguments presented, it does a good job.
Using mathematical logical to argue against the belief in God(s). Treading old ground with a more rigorously logical approach. Could have been far better if it went further, but for the arguments presented, it does a good job.
LibraryThing member tnilsson
Paulos makes some points I have not read elsewhere. And it was worth reading for those. But such points are few. The book is a bit light and I feel that others (such as Dawkins and Hitchens) have done a more thorough job addressing this subject.
LibraryThing member satyridae
It's me, over here in the choir robes. Nothing in this book I didn't already embrace, I mean. The geeky mathematical angle was a huge bonus. I found this audio book fun, funny and comforting. If you like this sort of thing, this is the sort of thing you like. And I do.
LibraryThing member Razinha
This won't convince anyone not already convinced, but Paulos does apply a mathematical edge to the analysis.
The most telling chapter was the last - Athiests, Agnostics, and "Brights". I agree with Paulos in that I am also not too fond of the name "Brights", but maybe it'll catch on. The statistics
The most telling chapter was the last - Athiests, Agnostics, and "Brights". I agree with Paulos in that I am also not too fond of the name "Brights", but maybe it'll catch on. The statistics
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are disturbing in how others view atheists and non-believers. The stigma is still hard to overcome. Show Less
Subjects
Original publication date
2007
Physical description
176 p.
ISBN
0809059193 / 9780809059195
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