36 arguments for the existence of god

Apr 09, 2010 36 arguments for the existence of god by rebecca goldstein. In 36 arguments for the existence of god, goldstein has fashioned a tale that does justice to the depth of the problem of reconciling a scientific worldview with the insistent yearning for transcendence, and has done so in a way that is philosophically sophisticated without being pedantic, and deeply moving without being weighed down by the. At the center is cass seltzer, a professor of psychology whose book, the varieties of religious illusion, has become a surprise best seller. What is this stuff, you ask one another, says the narrator in rebecca newberger goldsteins new novel 36 arguments for the existence of god. January 20, 2010 rebecca goldsteins 36 arguments for the existence of god is part academic farce and part metaphysical romance. As a macarthur geniusgrant recipient, rebecca newberger goldstein has described herself as setting out to write philosophically motivated novels. Rebecca goldsteins 36 arguments for the existence of god recalls this admonition. W ith atheism fashionable and religious fundamentalism on the rise, 36 arguments for the existence of god gently mocks the delusions of both the godly and the godless. Thoughtful, witty, and i cannot stress enough really entertaining, 36 arguments is part campus comedy, part romantic farce, part philosophical treatise. Cass seltzer, a professor of psychology whose book, the varieties of religious illusion, has become a surprise best seller. Nov 23, 2009 there is an excerpt from the novel on the edge site, including an appendix in which goldstein assaults 36 philosophical arguments for god s existence. The night i began reading rebecca newberger goldsteins 36 arguments for the.

Goldstein on the cosmological argument william lane craig. Rebecca newberger goldsteins 36 arguments about god. Feb 01, 2011 36 arguments for the existence of god is a stunningly original novel, which explores the varieties of the human religious experience in a story of obsession, consuming love, and divine genius. Jan 24, 2010 an atheist who largely relies on the former type of argument is a negative atheist i.

Equally adept at fiction a winner of the national jewish book award and philosophy a recipient of the macarthur foundation genius prize, rebecca newberger goldstein now gives us a novel that transforms the great debate between faith and reason into an exhilarating. Jan 12, 2010 36 arguments for the existence of god is an intriguingly structured work, tricky but also very traditional. His recent publication, the varieties of religious illusion, couldnt have been timed more perfectly. Posts about 36 arguments for the existence of god written by djgrieser preaching grace on the square scripture, tradition, theology, random thoughts from capitol square in madison, wi. His proudest achievement is his book, the varieties of religious illusion, in which he argues that all religions are manifestations of the illusion that. A work of fiction by rebecca newberger goldstein hardcover, 416 pages pantheon list price. Jan 31, 2010 in 36 arguments for the existence of god, goldstein shows that philosophers and scholars may construct as many proofs or disproofs of divinity as they like. Overcomplicated yet dazzling, sparked by frequent flashes of nonchalant brilliance, 36 arguments for the existence of god affirms ms. Dec 18, 2009 45 you wouldnt know it from the title, but rebecca goldsteins 36 arguments for the existence of god is a novel. Her brilliant sixth novel, 36 arguments for the existence of god, intelligently approaches one of lifes big questions from the perspective of a psychology professor looking to all the world like he has the answers, yet comically unable to. A work of fiction finds professor cass seltzer giddily contemplating his uncanny luck. Dubbed the atheist with a soul, he wins over the stunning. Moreover, at least in the case of the cosmological argument, the straw man appears. The existence of god is a subject of debate in the philosophy of religion and popular culture a wide variety of arguments for and against the existence of god can be categorized as metaphysical, logical, empirical, or subjective.

In philosophical terms, the question of the existence of god involves the disciplines of epistemology the nature and scope of knowledge and. Jan 20, 2010 36 arguments for the existence of god. Goldstein is not impressed by dogma from either side but instead explores the world of meaning in the middle, balancing her work between the scientism of the ivory tower and the numinous experience of the pearly gates. Steven pinker interviews rebecca newberger goldstein, author of 36 arguments for the existence of god. Jan, 2010 to my mind, 36 arguments for the existence of god is both postreligion and postatheism. To my mind, 36 arguments for the existence of god is both postreligion and postatheism. The arguments, however, are straw men of her own construction, bearing only passing resemblance to the classical arguments. True, it carries a 52 page appendix, also titled 36 arguments for the existence of god, which lists 36 arguments, many of which you may have seen in your intro to philosophy class, then outlines and argues against each. Apr 28, 2018 36 arguments for the existence of god thus offers the same engaging cocktail of philosophy, roman a clef fun, and scholarly soap opera that marked her earlier books, especially the bestselling. Transcript for 36 arguments for the existence of god this transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate. Mar 20, 2010 w ith atheism fashionable and religious fundamentalism on the rise, 36 arguments for the existence of god gently mocks the delusions of both the godly and the godless. World events are being shaped by fervent believers at home and abroad, while a new atheism is asserting itself in the public sphere. Maureen corrigan, fresh air, npr a looping tale with affectionate irony about academic life, culture wars, and relationships in.

The opening chapter of rebecca goldsteins 36 arguments for the existence of god. Hilarious, heartbreaking, and intellectually captivating, it is a luminous and intoxicating novel. Yet, in the philosophernovelist rebecca newberger goldsteins latest work of fiction, 36 arguments for the existence of god. Her most recent book, 36 arguments for the existence of god, is a vasta s. In 36 arguments for the existence of god, goldstein shows that philosophers and scholars may construct as many proofs or disproofs of. Goldsteins rare ability to explore the quotidian and the cosmological with equal ease.

The argument from the paucity of benign mutations d. Psychology today impressively succeeds in combining esoteric philosophical argument and laughoutloud humour. An atheist who largely relies on the former type of argument is a negative atheist i. There is an excerpt from the novel on the edge site, including an appendix in which goldstein assaults 36 philosophical arguments for gods existence. Rebecca goldsteins novel presents and refutes three dozen arguments for gods existence. Jonathan safran foer, author of everything is illuminated. Not since the enlightenment has this collision been so much on peoples minds.

Jan 12, 2010 36 arguments for the existence of god plunges into the great debate of our day. Hes been dubbed the atheist with a soul, and his sudden celebrity has upended his life. Part academic farce, part metaphysical romance, all novel of ideas, 36 arguments for the existence of god may not settle the question of whether god exists but it does affirm the phenomenon of literary miracles. In 36 arguments for the existence of god, rebecca newberger goldstein explores the rapture and torments of religious experience in all its variety. The protagonist, cass seltzer, is a psychology professor who specializes in debunking religious beliefs and traditions. May 25, 2011 rebecca goldsteins 36 arguments for the existence of god recalls this admonition. By turns hilarious, moving and devilishly clever, goldsteins novel is an exhilarating romance of heart and mind. A work of fiction vintage contemporaries rebecca newberger goldstein on. The characters in 36 arguments for the existence of god explore the great moral issues of our day in a novel that is deeply moving and a joy to read. Jan 22, 2010 36 arguments for the existence of god this clever novel manages to blend existential ponderings with humor and sharp writing. Its still january, but 36 arguments for the existence of god by rebecca newberger goldstein is without a doubt the funniest work of existential philosophy youll read all year.