1st Edition

Subjectivity and Irreligion Atheism and Agnosticism in Kant, Schopenhauer and Nietzsche

By Matthew Alun Ray Copyright 2003
    136 Pages
    by Routledge

    136 Pages
    by Routledge

    This book asks specific philosophical questions about the underlying structure of Kant, Schopenhauer and Nietzsche's thoughts on atheism and agnosticism; thoughts that represent one of the most concerted attacks on monotheistic religion in modern philosophy. Yet commentators interested in philosophical atheism have ignored frequently this tradition. Matthew Ray concludes that Kant's moral theology is largely undersupported; Schopenhauer's metaphysical and ethical atheism is flawed in several areas; and Nietzsche's naturalistic attack on Christianity is only partially successful. Taking a critical stance toward the atheistic orthodoxy in modern philosophy, Ray argues that the question of God's existence remains characteristically unresolved in post-Kantian philosophy.

    Contents: Apologia; Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum; Darker presences; Questionable features of life and imaginary benefits of death; An experiment in strength; Abandoned truth; Doubts about doubt; Bibliography; Index.

    Biography

    Matthew Alun Ray

    'As a whole this short book is well worth the time it takes to read and is characterized by a crisp, clean, and clear use of the English language. The book will be of interest to philosophers of religion whose work has a historical dimension, but it should not be approached as a history of post-Kantian philosophy.' Review of Metaphysics