Global Philosophy of Religion

What is genuine faith?


Does the existence of God matter?


Does science leave anything fore religion to explain?


How are religion and ethics connected, if at all?





In this stimulating new introduction, Joseph Runzo addresses the fundamental questions of life to present a uniquely global perspective on the philosophy of religion. Comparing and contrasting the philosophical insights offered by the different world religions, and examining their application today, this concise yet comprehensive book covers everything from the arguments for and against the existence of God to the problem of suffering and the possibilities of life after death. Balancing scholarship with a jargon-free approach, Runzo makes even the most profound arguments accessible to readers of all levels.





Sophisticated, authoritative, yet thoroughly readable, this contemporary study encourages readers to arrive at their own informed and global understanding of the great religious ideas of mankind. It will fascinate students, scholars and the general reader alike.

Introduction The problem of religious commitment Religious epistemology The World Religions The relation of scientific to philosophical approaches to religion Against global theology or a global philosophy of religion The way of knowledge versus the way of love 1. Religion and Philosophy What is religion? What is philosophy? Doing philosophy and using philosophy Are philosophy and religion enemies? Why religion needs philosophy 2. Worldviews and Religion The problem of religious plurality Can different worldviews be compared? Exclusivism and Antipathy Subjectivism and Pluralism Inclusivism and Henofideism A road map of World Religiosity 3. Religious Metaphysics without God The material world versus the Transcendent Buddhism and metaphysics Theological realism versus theological non-realism The advantages of non-theism 4. Religious Metaphysics with God God and monotheism Hindu Theistic Vedanta Hindu henotheism YHWH, the Trinity and Allah An ontological argument for God's existence The advantages of theism 5. A Posteriori Arguments for God's Existence The nature of proofs Cosmological arguments Teleological arguments The value of theistic "proofs" and cumulative arguments 6. Evil: An Argument Against Monotheism The problem of evil The strong formulation of the problem of evil The weak formulation of the problem of evil Theodicies and the free will defense The Augustinian Theodicy and Hell Soul-making theodicies The best possible world 7. Embodiment, Gender and God Incarnation and embodiment Feminine divine metaphors The problem of reference and representation Sexual metaphors Symbols, sexuality and God 8. Life After Death The religious importance of life after death The problem of death Conceptions of the Self Buddhist reincarnation The evolving soul Will you be there? 9. Religious Experience Religious experience and Scriptural authority Justification and religious knowledge Ineffability and mystical experiences The problem of privacy Kant's attempted solution Historicity, Pluralism and faith 10. Using Science to Argue Against Religion Does physics explain everything? What does evolutionary biology tell us about religion? Is religion just a cultural phenomenon? Is Religion Just a Psychological Phenomenon? The compatibility of science and religion 11. Morality, Ethics and Religion Morality and ethics Secular ethics Moral duty and religion Are morality and religion logically connected? The moral point of view and the religious point of view 12. Prudential Arguments for Religious Belief Pascal's Wager Religion as a live option Karma and samsara Is Religion cost-effective? 13. Faith and Justified Believers Evidentialism and religious belief Why religious beliefs are properly basic Faith commitments, worldviews and conversion Religion as a genuine option 14. Love and the Meaning of Life Values and the religious dimension of meaning Science and religion revisited Seraphic love Six characteristics of eros The argument from love Faith, love and religion Glossary Notes Index