Contemplating Religious Forms of Life: Wittgenstein and D.Z. Phillips

Reviews / Votes

'Contemplating Religious Forms of Life is a pleasure to read. It is articulate, fair, and shows impressive familiarity with the relevant literature. Mikel Burley clearly brings out the value of D. Z. Phillips' influential Wittgensteinian approach to the philosophy of religion without ever denying or ignoring its weaknesses. This is a sympathetic and reliable guide to an enormous and controversial body of work.'-Duncan Richter, Professor of Philosophy, Virginia Military Institute, USA, and author of Wittgenstein at His Word 'A well written book with a very clear understanding of Phillips' work. Burley criticizes Phillips' work while also explaining and appreciating the broad outlines of a Wittgensteinian approach to the study of religion. Students and scholars of religion will welcome this lucid and engaging assessment of the Swansea tradition of Wittgensteinianism. An excellent piece of writing.' -- Patrick Horn, Visiting Professor, Claremont McKenna College, USA, and author of Gadamer and Wittgenstein on the Unity of Language Burley undertakes his task with energy and a pleasing style. He displays a thorough grasp of recent discussions concerning the impact both Wittgenstein and Phillips have had on philosophy of religion, and he engages well with those discussions. -- Brian R. Clack, University of San Diego * Notre Dame Philosophical Review * Mikel Burley's book is highly insightful and should interest readers seeking to better understand the relevance of Wittgenstein and Phillips to philosophy of religion and some of the most important contemporary debates surrounding them. -- Christopher Hoyt, Western Carolina University * International Journal for Philosophy of Religion * Burley has done us a great service in helping us to read [Wittgenstein and Phillips] more carefully. I highly recommend this book. -- David Rozema (University of Nebraska-Kearney) * American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly (Vol 88, No. 1) *