1st Edition

Pantheism A Non-Theistic Concept of Deity

By Michael P. Levine Copyright 1994
    400 Pages
    by Routledge

    400 Pages
    by Routledge

    Many people who do not believe in God believe that 'everything is God' - that everything is part of an all-inclusive divine unity. In Pantheism, this concept is presented as a legitimate position and its philosophical basis is examined. Michael Levine compares it to theism, and discusses the scope for resolving the problems inherent in theism through pantheism. He also considers the implications of pantheism in terms of practice. This book will appeal to those who study philosophy or theology. It will also be of interest to anyone who does not believe in a personal God, but does have faith in a higher unifying force, and is interested in the justification of this as a legitimate system of thought.

    Chapter 1 Introduction; Part I Meaning; Chapter 2 What Is Pantheism?; Part II Philosophy of Pantheism; Chapter 3 Pantheism and Theism; Chapter 4 Problems Of Pantheism; Part III Method; Chapter 5 What Pantheists Should not Do–and Why; Chapter 6 Conclusion: How to Practise Pantheism;

    Biography

    Michael P. Levine

    `This book can be commended for dusting down an old idea and showing its relevance to contemporary discussions.' I

    `This is a rich book. It should be on the bookshelves of anybody interested in philosopy of religion or in natural theology. The book has been written in a highly systematic and professional wy'

    `The book is probably the most complete account of pantheism in any language, written by a highly competent philosopher'

    `this is a fine central text for courses in contemporay pragmatism'

    `A welcome addition on the literature on Wittgenstein'

    `I strongly recommend this book to any student of Wittgenstein or the philosohy of mathematics. Frascolla's work, like Wittengenstein's philosophy of mathematics, is richer that I have able to suggest in this review, and it is an important contribution to the lierature'

    Michael Levine's careful, lucid and fascinating account fills an important gap. For the first time, pantheism receives the patient analytic treatment that has long been accorded to arguments for and against the existence of the gods of the mainstream religions.' - Kevin Mulligan, Dept. of Philosophy, University of Geneva

    `This work can be warmly commended. Levine's enterprising enquiry should stand as an encouragement (or provocation?) to others to address these same issues' - Mark Wynn, Australian Catholic University