Two books have appeared recently, which both address the issue of atheism, secular life and whether or not philosophy leads to atheism. Both books are collections of personal essays written by prominent philosophers.

The first book, Philosophers without Gods, makes a defense for philosophical atheism and tries, in opposite to the new atheist (Dawkins and Denneth etc.) to give atheism a human face and to show respect for the religious traditions (new as old) that still colour the modern world.

The second book, Philosophers and God, is written as a counter book to Philosophers without Gods. And this is where it gets very interesting. Because the first collection of personal essays offers account for the reason why modern secular philosophers ‘of course’ are atheistic or at least very reflective concerning religion, the second counter book objects fundamentally to this picture drawn in the first book. For the details simply read the Introduction to Pihlosophers and God.

Philosophers without Gods: Meditations on Atheism and the Secular Life

Louise M. Antony (Editor)

Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (August 8, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0195173074

Atheists are frequently demonized as arrogant intellectuals, antagonistic to religion, devoid of moral sentiments, advocates of an “anything goes” lifestyle. Now, in this revealing volume, nineteen leading philosophers open a window on the inner life of atheism, shattering these common stereotypes as they reveal how they came to turn away from religious belief.

These highly engaging personal essays capture the marvelous diversity to be found among atheists, providing a portrait that will surprise most readers. Many of the authors, for example, express great affection for particular religious traditions, even as they explain why they cannot, in good conscience, embrace them. None of the contributors dismiss religious belief as stupid or primitive, and several even express regret that they cannot, or can no longer, believe. Perhaps more important, in these reflective pieces, they offer fresh insight into some of the oldest and most difficult problems facing the human mind and spirit. For instance, if God is dead, is everything permitted?

Philosophers Without Gods demonstrates convincingly, with arguments that date back to Plato, that morality is independent of the existence of God. Indeed, every writer in this volume adamantly affirms the objectivity of right and wrong. Moreover, they contend that secular life can provide rewards as great and as rich as religious life. A naturalistic understanding of the human condition presents a set of challenges–to pursue our goals without illusions, to act morally without hope of reward–challenges that can impart a lasting value to finite and fragile human lives.

Collectively, these essays highlight the richness of atheistic belief–not only as a valid alternative to religion, but as a profoundly fulfilling and moral way of life.

Philosophers and God: At the Frontiers of Faith and Reason

John Cornwell (Editor), Michael McGhee (Editor)

Paperback: 258 pages
Publisher: Continuum; 1 edition (July 25, 2009)
ISBN-10: 1847065481

About the authors – John Cornwell has since 1990 been director of the Science and Human Dimension Project, a Cambridge-based public understanding of science programme. He is an Affiliated Research Scholar in the department of History and Philosophy of Science, and has published and broadcast widely on science, religion and society. He is the author of Power to Harm, Hitler’s Scientists, and Darwin’s Angel, and has edited three volumes of essays on philosophy of science: Nature’s Imagination, Consciousness and Human Identity, and Explanations. Michael McGhee is Senior Fellow in Philosophy at The University of Liverpool. He is the author of Transformations of Mind: Philosophy and Spiritual Practice (CUP, 2000) and is also the Joint Editor of Contemporary Buddhism.