God: The Failed Hypothesis

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'''''God: The Failed Hypothesis: How Science Shows that God Does Not Exist''''' ({{Isbn|9781615920037}}) is a book by the physicist [[Victor J. Stenger]], published in 2007.

==Summary==

In clear opposition to [[NOMA]], Stenger argues that [[science]] is not neutral on the question of the existence of gods, but can rather put each individual model of [[God]] to the test, just like it can test every other model of reality. The Abrahamic god is put to the test after the fashion of [[Richard Dawkins]], with various statements made about him tested against results of scientific studies and facts that are known about history, the world and the universe.

In every single case he examines, Stenger argues that because they cannot be reconciled, it can be concluded "beyond reasonable doubt" that a god with the claimed characteristics does not exist. It is written like a book-length [[review article]], providing exhaustive references for the points that are discussed at the end of each chapter.

==Detailed outline==

The book is organized into the following chapters. The material is nothing terribly original, except that it comes from a scientist instead of a philosopher.

===Models and Methods===

Explains the fundamentals of the scientific method, scientific [[evidence]], [[falsification]], and models and [[theory|theories]]. It makes the argument that while all possible gods cannot be ruled out, any individual claim about supernatural phenomena can, in principle, be tested. For comparison to the empirical approach, Stenger also briefly discusses philosophical arguments against the existence of God. At the end, the general approach taken in the rest of the book is summarized as (1) hypothesize a god with certain attributes, (2) search for evidence that should be available if these attributes are true, (3) if the evidence is found, conclude that such a god may exist, and (4) if no evidence is found, conclude that such a god does not exist.

===The Illusion of Design===

Discusses [[creationism]], [[intelligent design]], Darwinism, and self-organization. Focuses specifically on debunking creationism and intelligent design and drawing the conclusion that both are little more than nonsense.

===Searching for a World Beyond Matter===

Examines evidence for the existence of a god who has bestowed humans with an immortal, immaterial [[soul]], evidence for the existence of an [[afterlife]], [[extrasensory perception]], [[psychokinesis]], [[prayer]] studies and [[neuroscience]].

===Cosmic evidence===

Counters the claim that a god must have been necessary to create matter, energy, order and the laws of physics, and deals with the [[first cause]] argument.

===The Uncongenial Universe===

Discusses the assertion that the universe was [[Anthropic principle|fine-tuned for life]], and argues that the universe does not look as if it was created with a special purpose for intelligent life.

===The Failures of Revelation===
Deals with the hypothesis of a god who makes spiritual or prophetic knowledge available to humanity, and with the supposed historicity of [[bible]] stories.

===Do Our Values Come from God?===

Examines the claim that human moral values are derived from revelation.

===The Argument from Evil===
Contrasts the model of an [[omniscient]], [[omnipotent]], and [[omnibenevolent]] god with the existence of unnecessary suffering, see [[Problem of evil]].

===Possible and Impossible Gods===

Summarizes the previous chapters and lists characteristics of God that are ruled out by the data. It also points out that the results could have been different, and mentions specific examples to illustrate that certain data that could have been found (but were not) would have been sufficient to make him "reconsider his atheism".

===Living in the Godless Universe===

The final chapter is less rigorous and more personal, arguing for an inspired and moral life without the need for theistic belief.

==External links==
* [http://books.google.com/books?id=MVbXAAAAMAAJ&q=%22God:+The+Failed+Hypothesis%22&dq=%22God:+The+Failed+Hypothesis%22 ''God: The Failed Hypothesis''] at Google Books
* [https://physicsworld.com/a/case-not-proven/ A critique]
[[Category:Books]]

Categories: Books