Boyle on Atheism

Leonard Adams is a professor of French Studies at the University of
Guelph.

This book is unique not only in form but also in content. Readers who
expect to find a well-ordered treatise on atheism based on jousting by
Robert Boyle (1627–1691) and other philosophers of his era will
probably be disappointed. In fact, editor J.J. MacIntosh (a professor in
the Department of Philosophy at the University of Calgary) has produced
a research document—quite simply, transcriptions of Boyle’s notes
preparatory to his writing of a treatise on atheism, a work that never
appeared. Notational orthography has been preserved as closely as
possible so that the clarity of the original text has not been
compromised. In addition, Boyle’s notes are very well organized,
thereby enhancing the usefulness of the volume.

Boyle specialists should welcome this text; the compendium includes
notes on a variety of subjects. Readers less familiar with Boyle’s
work may be surprised by its broad focus. Boyle constantly wrestled with
the questions that perplexed the thinkers of his age, from the nature of
God to the efficacy of miracles, the refutation of unchristian beliefs,
and argumentation over various theological issues for Christians as well
as unbelievers. His notes cover his thoughts on belief, atheism,
perfection, truth, and a number of related topics. In fact, his myriad
jottings evidence his preoccupation with philosophy and scientific
reasoning, not to mention the incompatibility between human freedom and
God’s foreknowledge.

Diligence and expertise are everywhere evident in this comprehensive
compilation. Scholars owe an immense debt of gratitude to MacIntosh for
producing this monument to 17th-century philosophical studies.