In Praise of Heteronomy
Making Room for Revelation
Published on 22. May 2017
Book
Hardback
272 pages
978-0-253-02638-5 (ISBN)
Description
Recognizing the essential heteronomy of postmodern philosophy of religion, Merold Westphal argues against the assumption that human reason is universal, neutral, and devoid of presupposition. Instead, Westphal contends that any philosophy is a matter of faith and the philosophical encounter with theology arises from the very act of thinking. Relying on the work of Spinoza, Kant, and Hegel, Westphal discovers that their theologies render them mutually incompatible and their claims to be the voice of autonomous and universal reason look dubious. Westphal grapples with this plural nature of human thought in the philosophy of religion and he forwards the idea that any appeal to the divine must rest on a historical and phenomenological analysis.
Reviews / Votes
The book not only displays a richness versed in both analytic and continental philosophy of religion, but also German idealism and modern theology. This gives the book a uniquely sharp philosophical edge (that makes distinctions and stakes claims) and when combined with an imaginative and personal verve (via testimonies, poems, and novels) demonstrates for the reader that philosophy of religion need not be banal and abstract, and indeed is best understood as an always operative and lived endeavor-one that is alive and well.(Reading Religion)
Beyond its clear and accessible discussions of Spinoza, Kant, and Hegel, In Praise of Heteronomy also makes a valuable contribution to contemporary philosophy of religion. It paints a picture of religious belief that is at once traditional and radical.
(International Journal for Philosophy of Religion) Westphal's book should be read eagerly not only by scholars working on the philosophy of religion, but by theologians. By carefully teasing out how the tension between autonomy and heteronomy informs the theologies of Spinoza, Kant and Hegel, Westphal offers a useful corrective to trends in modern theology that carelessly and uncritically parrot the themes of modern philosophy.
(Heythrop Journal) Merod Westphal is a brilliant Christian philosopher, who combines meticulous scholarship with a lively, at times even folksy, style as well as cogent arguments.
- Andrew Shanks (Modern Believing)
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Bloomington, IN
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paper over boards
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
575 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-253-02638-5 (9780253026385)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
05/2017
1st Edition
Indiana University Press
from
€30.49
Available for download
Person
Merold Westphal is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, Fordham University
and Honorary Professor, Australian Catholic University. His most recent works include Transcendence and Self-Transcendence (IUP) and Levinas and Kierkegaard in Dialogue (IUP).
and Honorary Professor, Australian Catholic University. His most recent works include Transcendence and Self-Transcendence (IUP) and Levinas and Kierkegaard in Dialogue (IUP).
Content
Sigla
Preface
1. Executive and Legislative Autonomy
2. Spinoza's Theology
3. Spinoza's Hermeneutics
4. Kant's Theology
5. Kant's Hermeneutics I
6. Kant's Hermeneutics II
7. Hegel's Theology I
8. Hegel's Theology II
9. Hegel's Hermeneutics
10. The Inevitability of Heteronomy
11. Heteronomy as Freedom
Notes
Index
Preface
1. Executive and Legislative Autonomy
2. Spinoza's Theology
3. Spinoza's Hermeneutics
4. Kant's Theology
5. Kant's Hermeneutics I
6. Kant's Hermeneutics II
7. Hegel's Theology I
8. Hegel's Theology II
9. Hegel's Hermeneutics
10. The Inevitability of Heteronomy
11. Heteronomy as Freedom
Notes
Index