Erik J. Wielenberg

A very thought-provoking book and a robust attempt to develop a framework for ethics on the assumption that God does not exist. The author presents some interesting, fresh arguments. In the first part of the book, the he critiques common arguments for the existence of God. In the second part of the book, arguments are presented for a moral framework from a naturalistic perspective. I wasn't entirely convinced by some of them but, as a whole, this book is worth reading for those who already have some background in philosophical thinking - it could be a difficult read for some as it is quite scholarly. It certainly demonstrates that it is possible for atheists to develop grounds for ethics without the need for a god as the foundational starting point. It is good to see rigorous thinking being done around this topic. A good contribution to the conversation around humanist ethics.… (more)

Right from the first page, it was immediately necessary that I had to take a little more time with this book. The author’s simple movement from argument to counter-argument, from point to counterpoint, through the various texts and evidence is executed with a Zen-like serenity. The book allows the reader to sit quietly with the presented arguments and work through them without the bombastic rhetoric we hear from the picket lines and cable news programs. There are times (but only few) when it feels like you’re reading a book of mathematic proofs, but even then, they are simple and profound. If you believe, there is much here for you; if you don’t, the same applies.… (more)