Introducing Anthony Kenny's What is Faith?

Alvin Plantinga is one of the most influential contemporary philosophers of religion. Plantinga is best known for two views: first, his defense of religious exclusivism and his debates with pluralists, including John Hick, and second, his important theory known as “Reformed Epistemology.” Plantinga, a religious philosopher, proposed the theory of “Reformed Epistemology” in opposition to both foundationalists and evidentialists. The most important part of his theory was belief in God as a basic belief, which saw theists as having no need for arguments about God in order for their belief to be justified. Plantinga’s theory had many opponents and proponents, and considerable expositions and critiques of his views were offered. One of the expositions and critiques put forward is by Anthony Kenny in the book “What is Faith?” Kenny first tries to clearly expound Plantinga’s theory – and he succeeds in doing this well – and then to recount its flaws, and finally to present his own view. The book is presented in two parts; the first part has been published as the exposition mentioned, and the second part consists of four essays which, although they all fall within the domain of philosophy of religion, have no direct connection either to the first part or to one another.

The book What is Faith? has been translated by Dr. Azam Pouya and published by Hermes Publications.