Realism and Religion: Philosophical and Theological Perspectives

by Andrew Moore, Michael Scott

Overview

This book draws together a distinguished group of philosophers and theologians to present new thinking on realism and religion. The religious realism/antirealism debate concerns the questions of God’s independence from human beings, the nature of religious truth and our access to religious truths. Although both philosophers and theologians have written on these subjects, there has been little sustained investigation into these issues akin to that found in comparable areas of research such as ethics or the philosophy of science. In addition, the absence of any agreed approach to the problem underlines both the need for fresh thought on it and the fruitfulness of this area for further research.

The editors’ introduction sets the context of the realism debate, traces connections amongst the essays which follow, and proposes lines for future development and enquiry. The contributors present a variety of contrasting positions on key issues in the religious realism debate and each opens up new and important themes. Gordon Kaufman, Peter Lipton and Simon Blackburn provide the opening chapters and the context for the collection; Alexander Bird, John Hare, Graham Oppy and Nick Trakakis, Merold Westphal, and John Webster explore topics that are central to the debate. This volume of original essays will both introduce newcomers to the field and suggest new lines of research for those already familiar with it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781409477860
Publisher:	Ashgate Publishing Ltd
Publication date:	05/28/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	17 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Andrew Moore teaches in the Theology Faculty of the University of Oxford, UK. Michael Scott is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at Manchester University, UK

Andrew Moore; Michael Scott; Gordon Kaufman; Peter Lipton; Simon Blackburn; Alexander Bird; John Hare; Graham Oppy; Nick Trakakis; Merold Westphal; John Webster.

Table of Contents

Contents: Introduction, Andrew Moore and Michael Scott; Mystery, God and constructivism, Gordon D. Kaufman; Science and religion: the immersion solution, Peter Lipton; Religion and ontology, Simon Blackburn; Scientific and theological realism, Alexander Bird; Prescriptive realism, John Hare; Religious language games, Graham Oppy and Nick Trakakis; Theological anti-realism, Merold Westphal; God's aseity, John Webster; Name index.

Editorial Reviews

’A collection of nine original essays, Realism and Religion brings philosophers and theologians together either to defend or critique a realist, cognitive understanding of religious beliefs and practice. ... This book contains diverse, engaging treatments for and against realism that should be of interest to scholars, graduate students, and upper level undergraduates who are concerned with the meaning of religious belief and practice.’ Ars Disputandi

From the Publisher