Rationality and Religion: Does Faith Need Reason?

Rationality and Religion deals with the perennial question of how far religious faith needs reason. Religion must claim truth, it is argued, and indeed needs the idea of a transcendent God. The book deals squarely with such problems as the existence of different religions, the relation between science and religion, and how religion should be treated in a pluralist society. This is one of the most fundamental issues facing religion at the present time. Can religion still be the subject of rational discussion or must it be privatized and left to the personal decisions of individuals as to how they should live their lives? Can it make claims that demand universal attention? This book is a spirited contribution to a vital contemporary debate. Based on the prestigious Stanton lectures at the University of Cambridge, the volume is ideal for student and general readership, as well as for philosophers and theologians.

Introduction. 1. Should Religion be Publicly Recognised?. 2. Is Religion Merely a Social Fact?. 3. Can All Religions be True?. 4. Are Science and Religion Equally Rational?. 5. Can a Religion Rest on Historical Claims?. 6. Is a Religious Epistemology Possible?. 7. Should Religious Forms of Life be Justified?. 8. Does Theism Need Dualism?. 9. Does Faith Need Reason?. 10. Does Religion Need a Transcendent God?. Bibliography. Index.

Roger Trigg is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Warwick. His publications include Rationality and Science (Blackwell, 1993), Ideas of Human Nature (Blackwell, 1988), and Understanding Social Science (Blackwell, 1985). He was the founding President of the British Society for the Philosophy of Religion, and in 1997 was the Stanton Lecturer in the Philosophy of Religion at the University of Cambridge. He is currently President of the Mind Association.

"Those acquainted with Trigg′s other work will not be surprised or disappointed by three trade marks: energy, clarity and breadth. Throughout this fine book, Trigg defends a more robust concept of religious faith which takes truth claims seriously. And Trigg argues this point in the course of discussing a breadth of topics: political liberal theory, competing models of sociological explanation, radical feminism, philosophy of history, and revised religious conceptions of God." Charles Taliaferro <!––end––> <!––end––>"This book is a welcome addition to the science/religion, objective/subjective, fatih/reason debates. Upper–division undergraduates through faculty." W. F. Desmond, Black Hawk College "For the comprehensiveness of its coverage, the excitement of its argument, and the vigour of its conclusions, Trigg′s book is to be recommended." Ross Hutchinson "I recommend this book very highly to specialists in the field." The Journal of Religion