Existence of God

Yujin Nagasawa is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Birmingham, UK. He is author of God and Phenomenal Consciousness (2008), and editor/co-editor of There’s Something About Mary: Essays on Phenomenal Consciousness and Frank Jackson’s Knowledge Argument (2004), New Waves in Philosophy of Religion (2008) and Scientific Approaches to the Philosophy of Religion (2012).

‘Exceptionally well written, clear, and informed. The material is engaging and approachable, with technicalities skilfully explained. It will be a valuable text for undergraduates taking courses in philosophy of religion.’ – Keith Parsons, University of Houston - Clear Lake, USA‘Nagasawa gives interesting and historically-nuanced perspectives on some of the great arguments in the Philosophy of Religion, writing in a clear and accessible way about some of the most opaque and inaccessible issues to which the human mind may direct itself.’ – T. J. Mawson, University of Oxford, UK‘Yujin Nagasawa’s clear and accessible writing style and mastery of the subject matter make this an engaging read. Those looking for an introductory survey of the arguments for the existence of God will find reading it to be a rewarding experience.’ – Andrei Buckareff, Marist College, USA‘This is a very lucid discussion of all the main philosophical arguments for the existence of God, assessing their strengths and weaknesses. It will appeal not only to professional philosophers but to many other readers as well.’ – John Hick, University of Birmingham, UK'Nagasawa's book is a useful summary of arguments for and against the existence of God. It is varied, representative of all main arguments and offers an encyclopaedia of information on the topic. It should be available to students and those with academic interest in the topic.' – Christina Landman, University of South Africa

• Preface Part 1: An Armchair Proof of the Existence of God 1. Gödel’s Secret Project 2. Anselm’s Discovery 3. Descartes’s Ontological Argument 4. Objections to the Ontological Argument 5. Hartshorne’s Discovery 6. Objections to the Modal Ontological Argument 7. Gödel’s Ontological Argument Part 2: ‘Follow the Evidence Wherever it Leads’: Evolution vs. Intelligent Design 8. Professor Flew’s Conversion 9. Battles Over Evolution 10. Intelligent Design 11. History of the Design Argument 12. Objections to the Design Argument 13. The Theory of Evolution 14. Judge Jones’s Verdict on Intelligent Design Part 3: The Big Bang, Infinity, and the Meaning of Life 15. The Big Bang 16. Infinity 17. History of the Cosmological Argument 18. The Kalām Cosmological Argument 19. Objections to the Kalām Cosmological Argument 20. Infinity and the Meaning of Life Conclusion: Additional Arguments for and against the Existence of God. Further Reading. Bibliography. Index