Analytical Philosophy of Religion in Canada

Brian Champion was Reference Librarian, Humanities and Social Sciences Library, University of Alberta, Edmonton.

One of the main objectives in bringing together this collection of essays is to honor and recognize four Canadian philosophers of religion: Terence Penelhum, Kai Nielsen, Alastair McKinnon, and Donald Evans. The collection consists of previously published articles that show the evolution of each author’s thought and their contrasts to one another. Penelhum writes on personal identity and logical problems in religion; Nielsen, on the irrationality of religious claims; McKinnon concerns himself with the metaphysical aspects of religious assertions; and Evans deals with the possibility of religious faith being made understandable to non-believers. In addition to these four essayists, John King Farlow assesses Penelhum’s work, Benoit Garceau critiques Nielsen, Leslie Armour evaluates McKinnon’s work, and Jacques Poulain considers Evans’s contribution. Editor Mostafa Faghfoury has chosen well four stimulating and provocative thinkers whose writings illumine the academic study of religion. This collection of fine writing and erudition goes far in advancing and solidifying the philosophical study of religion in Canada.