Short description:

"This book makes a fine contribution to the literature on the axiology of theism. [...] I recommend this book to everyone interested in contemporary philosophy of religion".

? Graham Oppy, Professor of Philosophy, Monash University, Australia

"[...] a sustained and fascinating defense of a view called anti-theism: the view that God's existence would make the world overall worse. Lougheed adeptly addresses the most serious objections to anti-theism and provides a compelling set of arguments for the view."

? Michael Almeida, Professor of Philosophy, University of Texas at San Antonio, USA

This book explores the value impact that theist and other worldviews have on our world and its inhabitants. Providing an extended defense of anti-theism - the view that God?s existence would (or does) actually make the world worse in certain respects - Lougheed explores God?s impact on a broad range of concepts including privacy, understanding, dignity, and sacrifice. The second half of the book is dedicated to the expansion of the current debate beyond monotheism and naturalism, providing an analysis of the axiological status of other worldviews such as pantheism, ultimism, and Buddhism. 

 A lucid exploration of contemporary and relevant questions about the value impact of God?s existence, this book is an invaluable resource for scholars interested in axiological questions in the philosophy of religion. 

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Long description:

This book explores the value impact that theist and other worldviews have on our world and its inhabitants. Providing an extended defense of anti-theism - the view that God?s existence would (or does) actually make the world worse in certain respects - Lougheed explores God?s impact on a broad range of concepts including privacy, understanding, dignity, and sacrifice. The second half of the book is dedicated to the expansion of the current debate beyond monotheism and naturalism, providing an analysis of the axiological status of other worldviews such as pantheism, ultimism, and Buddhism. 

 A lucid exploration of contemporary and relevant questions about the value impact of God?s existence, this book is an invaluable resource for scholars interested in axiological questions in the philosophy of religion. 

?Kirk Lougheed?s most recent venture into the steadily growing wealth of literature about the axiology debate. ? The book is ? written in clear and engaging prose. Lougheed has extensive knowledge and a deep understanding of the axiological debate and its complexities, yet he conveys even the most difficult components in a matter of fact and easily digestible way. ? Since the debate is a rich and under-explored area of philosophy, I hope and expect that he is right.? (Asha Lancaster-Thomas, International Journal for Philosophy of Religion, Vol. 91, 2022)

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Table of Contents:

Part 1: Setting the Stage.- Chapter 1: The Current Debate.- Chapter 2: The Meaningful Life Argument.- Part 2: Arguments for Anti-Theism.- Chapter 3: The Privacy Argument for Anti-Theism.- Chapter 4: The Autonomy and Dignity Arguments for Anti-Theism.- Chapter 5: The Sacrifice and Complete Understanding Arguments for Anti-Theism.- Chapter 6: The Axiological Status of God, Lesser-Gods, and Aliens. Why Atheist Worlds are Necessarily the Best.- Part 3: Beyond Monotheism.- Chapter 7: The Axiological Status of Schellenberg's Ultimism.- Chapter 8: The Axiology of Panentheism and Pantheism.- Chapter 9: The Axiology of Buddhism.- Chapter 10. Beyond Religion.

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