@book {80144, title = {The miracle of theism : arguments for and against the existence of God}, year = {1982}, pages = {268}, publisher = {Clarendon Press}, organization = {Clarendon Press}, abstract = {

In The Miracle of Theism, J.L. Mackie examines the arguments for and against the existence of God from an atheistic perspective. John Mackie is a highly respected twentieth century philosopher and along with Anthony Flew has been one of the most capable contemporary proponents of atheism. Written almost a quarter of a century ago, "The Miracle of Theism" remains a classic in the field of religious philosophy and is widely considered to be one of the best-stated arguments for atheism in print. Unfortunately, many popular works supporting the atheistic perspective come across as unduly angry and self-righteous. In contrast, Mackie{\textquoteright}s work is a much-needed breath of fresh air. One may disagree with Mackie while at the same time respecting his views.

Miracles and testimony

{\textendash} Hume{\textquoteright}s argument: exposition

{\textendash} Hume{\textquoteright}s argument: discussion

{\textendash} Descartes and the idea of God

{\textendash} The argument of the Third Meditation: exposition

{\textendash} The argument of the Third Meditation: discussion

{\textendash} Ontological arguments

{\textendash} Descartes{\textquoteright}s proof and Kant{\textquoteright}s criticism

{\textendash} Anselm{\textquoteright}s ontological proof and Gaunilo{\textquoteright}s reply

{\textendash} Plantinga{\textquoteright}s ontological proof

{\textendash} Berkeley{\textquoteright}s God and immaterial realism

{\textendash} Berkeley{\textquoteright}s theism: exposition

{\textendash} Berkeley{\textquoteright}s theism: discussion

{\textendash} Cosmological arguments

{\textendash} Contingency and sufficient reason

{\textendash} The regress of causes

{\textendash} Finite past time and creation

{\textendash} Swinburne{\textquoteright}s inductive cosmological argument

{\textendash} Moral arguments for the existence of a God

{\textendash} A popular line of thought

{\textendash} Newman: conscience as the creative principle of religion

{\textendash} Kant: God as a presupposition of morality

{\textendash} Sidgwick: the duality of practical reason

{\textendash} God and the objectivity of value

{\textendash} The argument from consciousness

{\textendash} Arguments for design.

{\textendash} Hume{\textquoteright}s Dialogues: exposition

{\textendash} Hume{\textquoteright}s Dialogues: discussion

{\textendash} Swinburne{\textquoteright}s restatement

{\textendash} The problem of evil

{\textendash} Survey of the problem

{\textendash} Attempts to sidestep the problem

{\textendash} The paradox of omnipotence

{\textendash} The free will defence

{\textendash} Digression: the nature of free will

{\textendash} The free will defence: continued

{\textendash} Religious experience and natural histories of religion

{\textendash} The varieties of religious experience

{\textendash} Natural histories of religion

{\textendash} Belief without reason

{\textendash} Pascal{\textquoteright}s wager

{\textendash} William James and the will to believe

{\textendash} Kierkegaard and the primacy of commitment

{\textendash} Religion without belief?

{\textendash} Replacements for God

{\textendash} Conclusions and implications

{\textendash} The challenge of nihilism

{\textendash} The balance of probabilities {\textendash} The moral consequences of atheism.

}, isbn = {019824682X}, author = {J. L. Mackie} }