Returning to MTSU
January 2022
PHIL 3310, Atheism & Philosophy
T & Th, 2:40 pm, James Union Building 202
This year’s theme: Atheism, humanism, and secularism
TEXTS
- Atheism: A Very Short Introduction, by Julian Baggini
"Atheism is often considered to be a negative, dark, and pessimistic belief characterized by a rejection of values and purpose and a fierce opposition to religion. Baggini shows how a life without religious belief can be positive, meaningful, and moral."
- Humanism-A Very Short Introduction, by Stephen Law
"The humanist is not simply one who denies the truth of religious belief, but one who believes we can enjoy meaningful, purposeful, and good lives without religion. And far from embracing moral nihilism, humanists are often deeply committed people, to be found at the forefront of many important ethical campaigns."
- Secularism: A Very Short Introduction, by Andrew Copson
- The Little Book of Humanism: Universal lessons on finding purpose, meaning and joy by Alice Roberts and Andrew Copson
- Life After Faith: The Case for Secular Humanism, by Philip Kitcher
- "Kitcher thoughtfully and sensitively considers how secularism can respond to the worries and challenges that all people confront, including the issue of mortality. He investigates how secular lives compare with those of people who adopt religious doctrines as literal truth, as well as those who embrace less literalistic versions of religion. Whereas religious belief has been important in past times, Kitcher concludes that evolution away from religion is now essential. He envisions the successors to religious life, when the senses of identity and community traditionally fostered by religion will instead draw on a broader range of cultural items—those provided by poets, filmmakers, musicians, artists, scientists, and others."
- Pragmatism as Anti-Authoritarianism, by Richard Rorty
"Anti-authoritarianism, on this view, means acknowledging that our cultural inheritance is always open to revision because no authority exists to ascertain the truth, once and for all. If we cannot rely on the unshakable certainties of God or nature, then all we have left to go on—and argue with—are the opinions and ideas of our fellow humans. The test of these ideas, Rorty suggests, is relatively simple: Do they work? Do they produce the peace, freedom, and happiness we desire?"
For more info: phil.oliver@mtsu.edu
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