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Cover of The God Delusion
4.0

Based on 425 Google Books ratings

The God Delusion

by Richard Dawkins

Book Details

Publisher:HarperCollins
Published:2011-01-25
Pages:465
Format:BOOK
Language:en
ISBN:9780547348667

Reading Info

About This Book

A preeminent scientist—and the world's most prominent atheist—asserts the irrationality of belief in God and the grievous harm religion has inflicted on society, from the Crusades to 9/11. With rigor and wit, Dawkins examines God in all his forms, from the sex-obsessed tyrant of the Old Testament to the more benign (but still illogical) Celestial Watchmaker favored by some Enlightenment thinkers. He eviscerates the major arguments for religion and demonstrates the supreme improbability of a supr

Our Review

This landmark work of scientific skepticism presents a comprehensive case against religious belief, arguing that faith represents a fundamental departure from reason and evidence-based thinking. Dawkins systematically dismantles traditional arguments for God's existence while examining religious texts through a critical, scientific lens. The book confronts religion's historical impact on society, tracing connections between faith-based thinking and various conflicts throughout human history. With intellectual rigor and sharp prose, it makes a compelling argument for atheism as not merely an absence of belief but a positive worldview grounded in scientific understanding.

What makes this work particularly impactful is Dawkins' ability to translate complex scientific concepts into accessible language while maintaining philosophical depth. The book serves as both an entry point for those questioning religious assumptions and a substantive resource for established atheists seeking articulate arguments. While its direct challenge to religious faith will undoubtedly provoke strong reactions from believers, it provides valuable perspective for anyone interested in the science versus religion debate. Readers emerge with a clearer understanding of how evolutionary biology and cosmology offer alternative explanations for life's biggest questions.

Themes

Religion

Subjects

Religion