Theism and Humanism

These lectures offer a thoughtful examination of the relationship between belief in a divine reality and the rise of human‑centered philosophy. Delivered to the University of Glasgow just before the First World War, the speaker—an eminent scholar of both science and letters—aims to make a dense philosophical debate accessible to listeners with only a modest background in the subject.

The presentation moves from a wide‑ranging look at “natural religion” toward a focused discussion of the concept of God, treating ideas such as freedom and immortality only insofar as they illuminate that central theme. Though the ultimate conclusion leans toward a religious stance, the arguments are developed in a largely secular, analytical framework, avoiding doctrinal pole‑mic and instead inviting reflective consideration.

Written after a long delay caused by the upheavals of wartime, the text retains the clarity of the spoken lectures while being reshaped for readers. Listeners will appreciate the measured pace, the careful use of examples, and the author’s genuine effort to bridge scholarly rigor with everyday comprehension.