The Philosopher's Playground: Understanding Scriptural Reasoning through Modern Philosophy

by Jacob L. Goodson

Overview

Since its inception in 1994, scriptural reasoning has been practiced by academics and religious laypeople on an international scale. Scriptural reasoning is an activity or practice where Jews, Christians, and Muslims read and study together short passages from their traditionally sacred texts. In this book, Jacob L. Goodson describes this activity by giving a tour through modern philosophy and showing how certain arguments, ideas, and theories from modern philosophers help make sense of this inter-religious practice. According to Goodson, one of the most interesting aspects of the practice of scriptural reasoning concerns how its driven by a tension between pragmatism and semiotics--what he calls purposefulness (pragmatism) vs. playfulness (semiotics) throughout the book. Can inter-religious practices only be playful, in terms of an academic "leisure activity"? Or do inter-religious practices need to strive toward a greater end or even a higher purpose, such as peace-making among the Abrahamic faiths or inter-religious friendships? In each individual chapter, Goodson explores this tension within the practice of scriptural reasoning. Utilizing Immanuel Kant's deontology, Goodson concludes by demonstrating how the practice of scriptural reasoning might work if only two rules are in place while participating in it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781725245648
Publisher:	Cascade Books
Publication date:	11/09/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	232
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Jacob L. Goodson is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. Since 2009, he has served as the General Editor of the Journal of Scriptural Reasoning.

Jacob L. Goodson is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“On one level, Scriptural Reasoning (SR) is a peace-making practice of scriptural study across the borders of religious traditions. On another level, SR names a unique type of reasoning that emerges from such study, especially within small groups that have practiced SR study over many months. Only a few SR thinkers have explored the relation of this reasoning to the academic disciplines. Jacob Goodson has taken the next, significant step: hosting a veritable symposium of SR thinkers in dialogue with well-known Western philosophers from Hegel to Eco. The result is a book of equally high imagination and sharp philosophic analysis, single-handedly projecting the reasoning of SR into mainstream philosophic discourse. A stunning achievement.”

—Peter Ochs, University of Virginia



“An exceptionally fine introduction to Scriptural Reasoning without sacrificing intellectual rigor and attention to detail. The discussions of Peirce, Ricoeur, and Habermas, as well as those of Kant, Hegel, and Coleridge, place the practice of scriptural reasoning in a long Western tradition of reasoning out of texts. Goodson’s lucid expositions will be welcomed by readers who have not undertaken firsthand study of the philosophical texts. He beautifully captures the apparent contradictions of scriptural reasoning: it both has goals and refuses to be goal driven; it both invites theoretical reflection and resists any single theoretical account from a single tradition. Anyone who is curious about the intellectual currents that run through scriptural reasoning is well served by this excellent study.”

—Nicholas Adams, University of Birmingham



“At a time of great strife and fundamentalism, it is imperative to understand different religious traditions with academic clarity. Scriptural reasoning is a beautiful practice that allows Jewish, Muslim, and Christian thinkers to address the topics that lie at the core of humanity with a clarity of thought and an openness of heart. The first comprehensive book on SR’s history, technique, and application, Goodson guides us into a new way to have old conversations.”

—Brad Elliott Stone, Loyola Marymount University

Editorial Reviews

On one level, Scriptural Reasoning (SR) is a peace-making practice of scriptural study across the borders of religious traditions. On another level, SR names a unique type of reasoning that emerges from such study, especially within small groups that have practiced SR study over many months. Only a few SR thinkers have explored the relation of this reasoning to the academic disciplines. Jacob Goodson has taken the next, significant step: hosting a veritable symposium of SR thinkers in dialogue with well-known Western philosophers from Hegel to Eco. The result is a book of equally high imagination and sharp philosophic analysis, single-handedly projecting the reasoning of SR into mainstream philosophic discourse. A stunning achievement.”

—Peter Ochs, University of Virginia



“An exceptionally fine introduction to Scriptural Reasoning without sacrificing intellectual rigor and attention to detail. The discussions of Peirce, Ricoeur, and Habermas, as well as those of Kant, Hegel, and Coleridge, place the practice of scriptural reasoning in a long Western tradition of reasoning out of texts. Goodson’s lucid expositions will be welcomed by readers who have not undertaken firsthand study of the philosophical texts. He beautifully captures the apparent contradictions of scriptural reasoning: it both has goals and refuses to be goal driven; it both invites theoretical reflection and resists any single theoretical account from a single tradition. Anyone who is curious about the intellectual currents that run through scriptural reasoning is well served by this excellent study.”

—Nicholas Adams, University of Birmingham



“At a time of great strife and fundamentalism, it is imperative to understand different religious traditions with academic clarity. Scriptural reasoning is a beautiful practice that allows Jewish, Muslim, and Christian thinkers to address the topics that lie at the core of humanity with a clarity of thought and an openness of heart. The first comprehensive book on SR’s history, technique, and application, Goodson guides us into a new way to have old conversations.”

—Brad Elliott Stone, Loyola Marymount University

From the Publisher