Bibliography 251Bibliography
This bibliography overlaps at a few points with the references in the text and notes. Its
purpose is to offer a guide to basic works and suggestions for further reading to those
who may wish to pursue issues discussed in the essays and replies. It is relatively
selective and should not be treated as in any way exhaustive.
Introductions to the Philosophy of Religion
Because of its perennial fascination philosophy of religion is well provided with
introductory texts. In some of these the authors pursue their own atheist or theist
inclinations, but in all cases a range of perspectives is presented. For a clearly written
account combining contemporary analytical philosophy of religion with reference to
historical figures see Brian Davies OP, An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion,
2nd edition (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993). Davies, who like Aquinas is
a Dominican, offers a more extended treatment of much the same material in Think-
ing About God (London: Geoffrey Chapman, 1985). Other well-balanced presentations
of all the main points in the case for and against the existence of God are given by
J.C.A. Gaskin in The Quest for Eternity (Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, 1984) and
William L. Rowe in Philosophy of Religion: An Introduction (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth,
1978). Particularly useful for the complete beginner is C. Stephen Evans, Philosophy of
Religion: Thinking about Faith (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985). Richard
L. Purtill, Thinking About Religion: A Philosophical Introduction to Religion (Englewood
Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1978), carries his discussion beyond the usual agenda of
issues to consider such matters as scripture, eastern religion and mysticism. Perhaps
the most comprehensive introductory text is Michael Peterson, William Hasker, Bruce
Reichenbach and David Basinger, Reason & Religious Belief: An Introduction to the
Philosophy of Religion (New York: Oxford University Press, 1991).
Atheism and Theism, Second Edition
J.J.C. Smart, J.J. Haldane
Copyright © J.J.C. Smart and J.J. Haldane, 1996, 2003