Sound Bite
From time to time, we all pause to examine our beliefs. In this book, by reexamining the ideas of faith and reason, the author demonstrates the value of critical thinking to dissect confusing and misleading ideas and to uncover important, although sometimes difficult, truths. With the power of reason, it is found that false hopes and a faith that we may be afraid to look into, can be replaced by something stronger and more valuable: a newfound sense of realistic possibilities and a greater understanding of the human condition.
About the Author
Bruce A. Smith grew up as a conservative Christian with the intent of becoming a minister; he is now a public speaker espousing a skeptical and atheistic worldview.
Smith has a degree in communications has been a lifetime student of philosophy, having explored a wide range of ideologies from conservative Christianity to the Eastern religions. It is this diverse background that he draws upon to provide the thought-provoking material found in The Path of Reason.
When he is not writing philosophical essays or creating his syndicated humor column, he works as a business analyst at a computer software firm. He lives with his wife in Southern California.
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About the Book
In today's culture wars and the everyday struggle of individuals to make sense of the world around them, the question of how we can understand the world becomes a vital one. In order to make the best decisions in life, we need the best...
In today's culture wars and the everyday struggle of individuals to make sense of the world around them, the question of how we can understand the world becomes a vital one. In order to make the best decisions in life, we need the best information. But how can we go about obtaining that? The Path of Reason begins with an examination of the two means that we use to understand the world — faith and reason. The author compares them and shows why they are often mutually exclusive.
Ultimately, faith is found wanting, while reason proves to be surprisingly valuable. With the validity and importance of reason established, the author then uses it to examine various ideologies. Reason is applied to the questions of God, the soul, and the meaning of life, resulting in skeptical and atheistic conclusions. Following this is a presentation of critical thinking principles. The point is made that without the avoidance of logical fallacies, one can never truly come to a clear understanding of the world. With these tools in hand, the author leads the reader through an examination of various supernatural and New Age ideas.
This is followed by a critical look at the doctrines, and certain specifics, of Christianity. All of these discussions reveal the power of reason to dissect confusing and misleading ideas and to uncover important, although sometimes difficult, truths.
The book concludes with a look at what life means for nonbelievers. The worldview of the atheist and the skeptic is often misunderstood and misrepresented. By opening and reexamining the ideas of faith and reason, the author demonstrates the value of the nonbeliever's perspective. Understanding the world is an entirely different problem from dealing with the world, and this section recommends attitudes that can be beneficial in a world where the veil has been lifted by the power of reason. In the end, it is found that false hopes are replaced by a newfound sense of realistic possibilities and a greater understanding of the human condition.
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Reference & Research Book News
Smith, a business analyst at a computer software firm who was once a conservative Christian, seeks to eliminate misconceptions about atheism and skepticism by examining faith and reason, the two means by which we evaluate our world. Writing for those who are confused by media representations and culture wars about philosophy and religion, Smith explains his personal path to atheism and skepticism as he describes the collision of faith and reason, the application of reason to such ideas as the soul, God, and meaning, critical thinking, including its fallacies, and specific precepts of skepticism. He then explains Christianity as he perceives it, analyzing such ideas as heaven and hell, the ten commandments, sex and violence, Jesus in the books of Matthew and John, the end times, prophecy and religious history, and the facts of life of a committed atheist.
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Pages 240
Year: 2007
LC Classification: BL73.S64A3
Dewey code: 211'.8--dc22
BISAC: REL004000
BISAC: PHI000000
Soft Cover
ISBN: 978-0-87586-579-9
Price: USD 22.95
Hard Cover
ISBN: 978-0-87586-580-5
Price: USD 34.95
eBook
ISBN: 978-0-87586-581-2
Price: USD 22.95
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