Sunday, August 19, 2018

Book Recommendations:


There Is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_11?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=antony+flew+there+is+a+god&sprefix=antony+flew%2Caps%2C326&crid=3ESIV8WAO30EK

This book is very well written for the general reader. In addition to giving the reasons for his change of mind, Flew describes the arguments he used in the past to defend atheism and their weaknesses. This covers some of the continuing reasons presented today to defend atheism. 

Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_12?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=hossenfelder+lost+in+math&sprefix=hossenfelder%2Cstripbooks%2C403&crid=7JF0Q1N04YL0&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Ahossenfelder+lost+in+math

With a Ph.D. in theoretical physics and published research, the author is clearly qualified to criticize her own field. She also has strong philosophical understanding [though I did disagree with her a few times]. She also applies some of the sociological critique of science to current theories. For the most part the book is written in non-technical language and is very engaging. Skipping the few technical parts will not hurt the overall effect of the book. 

The Character of Consciousness

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_6_8?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=chalmers+consciousness&sprefix=chalmers%2Cstripbooks%2C1663&crid=38R3WNVE8RQTZ&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Achalmers+consciousness

For those interested in the mind-body problem, this is the most complete exposition of the

anti-materialist p

oint of view. Chalmers is one of the very best contemporary philosophers. His writings are characterized by including a complete survey of the filed, answering his critics in detail, and writing with extreme clarity. The book is written for philosophers, but skimming it can give a sense of the issues, and it is a great resource to quote in debate.