The Probability of God: A Simple Calculation That Proves the Ultimate Truth

By Stephen D. Unwin

Book Overview

A thoughtful approach to justifying religion using scientific principles reveals how a two-hundred-year-old mathematical equation, developed by European philosopher Thomas Bayes, can be used to prove the probability of God's existence. 25,000 first printing.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0761526846
• ISBN13: 9780761526841
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Crown Forum
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.91 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.6" x 1.0" x 5.7"

Customer Reviews

Reframing the debate

Every one seems to have an opinion about whether or not God exists, and they're usually pretty sure of themselves to put it mildly. What Unwin has done in this book is to put all these people on the same side of the debate, whether they happen to be believers or atheists. The important thing that unites them is that they are CERTAIN. They have the answer and they know it. I think Unwin implies that this aspect of them is more telling about their logic than which side they happen to come down on. Unwin takes the opposite side of this debate - he's UNCERTAIN. What's more, he seems to be a guy who knows the language and formulas of uncertainty. I can see how some people might take issue with his logic when he comes up with these probabilities, but what's good is he sets out the procedure for changing the probabilities based on your definition of God. I've heard the same old stuff for and against God for years. This book doesn't contain the same old stuff. I liked it.

Not for the certain

This is not a book for the certain. It will probably irritate them. If someone's looking for a book that completely endorses their hardened beliefs, atheist or theist, this not the one for them. There are hundreds of other books for that. On the other hand, if you want a balanced, impressively systematic evaluation of the evidence in a very novel setting, I think you'll enjoy Unwin's book. He argues in the end that uncertainty isn't all bad, and even provides an important spiritual element, when it comes to belief in God. I think it describes a powerful basis for religious belief that doesn't have to be rooted in complete certainty.

A Douglas Adams for the Theists?

When I finished the book I felt like I'd gotten a free lunch. I came out knowing a lot about everyone from Pascal to Heisenberg, and yet I'd felt no pain. In fact, the book was a page-turner. I read Salmon of Doubt recently and I find Unwin's humor a little reminiscent of Douglas Adams. Also, quite apart from the whole God thing, this book is a great introduction to Bayes theorem of probability. Maybe I even feel confident enough to produce my own probability of God number ... well, probably ...

A thoroughly enjoyable and stimulating read

It's rare indeed when the tools of the scientific community are useful in contemplating fundamental concepts of faith in God. However, Dr. Unwin has accomplished just that by applying an established theorem of probability to grope with life's most basic question: "does God exist?" His proposed approach reaches out to those of us who feel the need to rationalize or substantiate our belief in a living and benevolent supernatural being.Amazingly, the author achieves this feat without burdening the reader with heavy theology and abstract mathematics. Nor does he reduce man's search for the Divine to trivial arithmetic. Rather, he proposes an intriguing way to view the subject. It's also a thoroughly enjoyable read because he presents his case in an informal, conversational style and with a sense of humor that balances the gravity of the subject.Perhaps the most appealing feature of the book is that it's basic ideas stay with you long after you've finished reading. For example, Dr. Unwin presents six "evidentiary areas" for estimating the probability that God truly exists; for example: the universal notion of good and evil, and life-saving events that defy physical explanation (miracles). He uses these concepts as a basis for developing a probabilistic argument that God exists; that is, the evidence suggests it's more likely he exists than he doesn't. Soon after finishing the book, I found myself playing with the numbers and applying them to my own ideas of evidence for and against the proposition that God exists. This is the stuff that stimulates great discussion around the dinner table or (God forbid) at happy hour.

Really Unique

This book is pretty unique, and a lot different than I expected. It's funny but deep and authoritative at the same time. It seems pretty bold to calculate the probability that God exists, but the author does it anyway. What's interesting is that he doesn't rely on the usual old arguments of intelligent design of the universe as the case in favor of God. In fact, he completely blows away that sort of argument. His cases for and against God seem balanced, so his conclusions seem convincing. This is definitely worth a read.