Liberal Arts In Print – March 2026
The following are publications that have been published in November and December 2025.
Atheism and the Problem of Evil
Authored by Paul Draper, a professor of philosophy and religious studies (Oxford University Press)
Draper uses mathematical probability to construct two arguments for the conclusion that theism is probably false. The first shows that a deistic hypothesis, which is at least as plausible as theism, fits the evidence much better than theism does. The second shows that a naturalistic hypothesis, which fits the evidence at least as well as theism, is much more plausible than theism. The book goes beyond familiar facts about suffering and other evils by examining a wide variety of data on what our world is like. It seeks to give readers a better understanding of the relationship between probability and justified belief.
Desiring Machines: Mimetic Theory and Artificial Intelligence in Technology, Philosophy, Film, and Fiction
Co-authored and edited by Thomas Ryba, senior lecturer of religious studies in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies; and Sandor Goodhart, professor emeritus of English and Jewish studies (Bloomsbury)
This wide-ranging collection brings together scholars from across the humanities to explore technology and culture through the lens of Girardian mimetic theory, offering a timely and innovative contribution to contemporary debates about artificial intelligence and its social, ethical, and aesthetic implications. The volume speaks directly to the critical role of humanities in shaping how emerging technologies are understood and evaluated.
Milton and the Network of Disability, Embodiment and Care
Co-edited by Angelica Duran, a professor of English, comparative literature, and religious studies; affiliated faculty in critical disability studies (Edinburgh University Press, Dec. 2025)
Taking a deep dive into the texts of English poet, polemicist, and civil servant John Milton, Professor Duran's 11th book reveals the value of looking through a theoretical lens of disability, embodiment, and care studies (DEC) when reading Milton’s work and other prominent literature. It also addresses the way Milton’s own impairments and representations of human biodiversity affected his status as an author, giving insights into the soundness of stereotypes about the cultural and physical environments humans occupy.
Reading Queer Media in the German-Speaking World
Co-edited by Christopher Ewing, an assistant professor of history (Springer Nature)
This informative guide challenges readers to analyze print sources in their study of queer German history. Presenting the research of scholars from many disciplinary backgrounds and multiple countries, the book directly questions the exclusivity of certain media forms and highlights the unrecognized value of formats like magazines, novels, poetry, and print imagery for German-speaking queer communities throughout the last one hundred and twenty-five years. It argues that getting a complete picture of the wealth of queer experiences in the past must mean taking an inclusive approach to defining the boundaries of queer print media.
The Fight of His Life
Co-authored by Randy Roberts, distinguished professor of history (Basic Books)
Read the story of Joe Louis, a world-famous heavyweight champion who served as a racial goodwill ambassador and promoted unity at a time when military bases were riddled with racial tension. Highlighting the fight against fascism abroad and racism at home, this biography is a celebration of Louis’s bravery, advocacy, and iconicity despite the limitations brought on by the time.