The Kalam Cosmological Argument and a Bizarre Review...
As many of you will know, I have recently written a new book concerning the Kalam Cosmological Argument (Did God Create the Universe from Nothing? Countering William Lane Craig’s Kalam Cosmological Argument), which has had some cracking reviews. As you might imagine, I was a little upset to receive a 2-star review the other day on Amazon. This has affected the average, which can affect sales. This is, of course, fair enough if the review is robust and contains fair points. But the review started with the words "...Pearce has great critiques of Craig's arguments". Here is the review in full:
While Pearce has great critiques of Craig's arguments, this book falls short as do all books I've read on both sides. Like studying Theology one can only do so with the premise that God exists and is worth seeking. Likewise these counter arguments fail to disprove anything on the theist side and prove absolutely nothing concerning "proof" God does not exists. Science and Faith must know their limits, come together and have real old fashion debates. Just as the bible can't prove the age of the cosmos or the distance from earth to the moon, science can't speak on morals (other than examine the empirical subjective and complex norms throughout history) and answer the questions which escape the measureable sensory world. A telescope can't tell us how to live let alone make anyone a good cup of coffee. Evidence is all we have on both sides and if no purpose to life, you should be consistent and live this out to it's ultimate logical conclusion (why get married, have kids or even have a conversation), likewise if their is a purpose to life, be fair and logical and live it out with passion and vigor. Perhaps worse than Hawking's, "Grand Design" a few years back....Better luck next time Mr. Pearce.
This is such a bizarre review I don't know what to make of it. It is not so much a book review as a ramble about epistemology. What do you think?
As such, it has rightfully annoyed me, because everyone else who has so far read the book is very favourable about it. So please
- Buy yourself a copy (obviously), or maybe three or eleven, and give them to friends and relatives...
- Please review it. If you like it. If you don't, um...forgeddaboudit.