「無神論者」と聞いてどのような人を思い浮かべますか。意味も目的も価値もない人生を送る、道徳心を持たない悲観主義者？ 本書は無神論に対する偏った考え方を払拭し、宗教的な信仰心を持たずともいかに有益で意義深い道徳的な人生を送ることができることを明らかにする一冊です。新版は西洋で特定の信仰を持たない人が増加するなか、リチャード・ドーキンズやサム・ハリスらの著述が牽引する「新無神論」運動についての新章を追加しています。(cf. Atheism: What Everyone Needs to Know)
    

• Discusses the nature of atheism, arguing that it is more than a rejection of theism
• Explores the roles of meaning and morality in a world without God
• Includes a new chapter covering the impact and legacy of twenty first century 'New Atheism'
• Explores the position of atheists in today's world

New to this Edition:

• Includes a new chapter covering the impact and legacy of twenty first century 'New Atheism'
• Includes a discussion of atheism in East Asian History
• Discusses the differences between Atheism and Agnosticism

   
Atheism is often considered to be a negative or pessimistic belief which is characterized by a rejection of values and purpose and a fierce opposition to religion. This Very Short Introduction sets out to dispel the myths that surround atheism, arguing that most western atheism is so-named only because it exists in a tradition in which theism is the norm. Julian Baggini instead asserts that atheists are typically naturalists, who believe that meaning and morality are possible in a finite, natural world.
  
This second edition includes a new chapter covering the impact and legacy of 'New Atheism', a powerful new movement in atheism in the early twenty first century, driven by books from authors such as Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris, and which is having a profound impact across the Western world. Baggini also considers whether East Asia has been historically atheist, and atheism in recent European history, before exploring the position of atheists around the world today. Throughout, the book presents an intellectual case for atheism that rests as much upon positive arguments for its truth as on negative arguments against religion.