Abstract

This is a rather extensive revision of Hick's well-known work of 1957, and is certainly a welcome addition to the literature on this subject—especially in view of the recent resurgence of interest in epistemological problems in the philosophy of religion. Hick has added a good deal of new material, including a chapter dealing with the traditional Thomist view of religious faith as a propositional attitude, and an extensively revised section dealing with the author's theory of faith as "the interpretative element within the religious person's claimed awareness of God." While Hick argues for a definite philosophical thesis he has illuminating things to say about matters of general epistemological concern. Especially worthy of mention are his exposition and critique of the views of William James and his discussion of issues raised by positivistic criteria of meaning. It might be mentioned that the logical problem Hick raises concerning Aquinas' description of the faith of demons can be dispelled by the simple device of holding that the demons see things that humans don't. Altogether, this is a highly recommended book, quite well suited, incidentally, for use in a one-semester course in philosophy of religion.—H. P. K.