Atheism: A Guide for the Perplexed

Atheism: A Guide for the Perplexed moves beyond the polemics to present an overview of atheism that is rigorous but still accessible to the educated layperson as well as to the undergraduate student in philosophy and theology. After a preliminary investigation of what atheists mean when they use the words ’atheism’ and ’God’-a much more complex investigation than one might suspect-the book explores the differences and similarities between ’old’ and ’new’ atheism; places atheism of either variety in context by examining the naturalistic worldview that grounds it; provides a short historical sketch of atheism; examines a number of arguments against God-belief; investigates whether an atheist worldview is consistent with ethics and a sense of purposefulness; inquires into whether the current militancy against religious belief is pertinent or a red herring; and concludes with a few suggestions for continued dialogue between believers and nonbelievers.

The goal throughout is to present a balanced, non-partisan introduction to the worldview, principles, and arguments of atheism that highlights the position’s strengths as well as its weaknesses.

Kerry Walters is William Bittinger Professor of Philosophy at Gettysburg College, PA, USA, where he also co-founded the Peace and Justice Studies program.