Is belief in God justified? That’s the fundamental question at the heart of this volume of the Great Debates in Philosophy series. Alvin Plantinga and Michael Tooley each tackle the matter with distinctive arguments fromopposing perspectives. The book opens with an explanation of the philosophers’ viewpoints, followed by a lively and engaging conversation in which each directly responds to the other's arguments.

"Knowledge of Godis a work of major significance. There is no other debate-style book in the philosophy of religion that packs that intellectual punches thrown by heavy-weights Plantinga and Tooley. Excellent."

- Thomas Senor, University of Arkansas

"A rigorous yet accessible debate on central issues in the philosophy of religion by two leading contributors to the field. When Plantinga and Tooley turn to discuss each other's views, they shed light not only on these topics but on a whole range of further issues, including minds and materialism, propositional content, evolutionary explanation, and probabilistic reasoning. A first-rate exchange, full of philosophical insight."

- Edward Wierenga, University of Rochester

“The book illuminates some important issues in philosophical theology. Recommended.” (Choice Reviews, October 2008)

"The present volume, by two heavyweight analytical philosophers, is rather different from the usual pattern." (The Tablet)

“A very fine book, presenting arguments for and against theism and naturalism by two very distinguished philosophers. I strongly recommend it for graduate level courses.” (Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews)

Is belief in God epistemically justified? That is the question at the heart of this volume in the Great Debates in Philosophyseries, with Alvin Plantinga and Michael Tooley each addressing this fundamental question with distinctive arguments from opposing perspectives.

Alvin Plantingais John A. O'Brien Professor of Philosophy at University of Notre Dame. He widely known for his work in epistemology and philosophy of religion, and is the author most recently of Warranted Christian Belief(2000). He recently edited (with Matthew Davidson) Essays in the Metaphysics of Modality(2003).

Michael Tooleyis Distinguished College Professor of Philosophy at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is well known for his work in metaphysics and applied ethics, and is the author of Time, Tense, and Causation(1997) and editor of Metaphysics(5 volumes, 1999).

Acknowledgements.

1. Against Naturalism: Alvin Plantinga.

2. Opening Statement: Michael J. Tooley.

3. Reply to Tooley's Opening Statement: Alvin Plantinga.

4. Reply to Plantinga's Opening Statement: Michael J. Tooley.

5. Can Robots Think? Reply to Tooley's Second Statement: Alvin Plantinga.

6. Closing Statement and Reply to Plantinga's Comments: Michael J. Tooley.

Bibliography