A Brief Inquiry Into the Meaning of Sin and Faith : With “On My Religion”

"John Rawls never published anything about his own religious beliefs, but after his death two texts were discovered which shed extraordinary light on the subject. A Brief Inquiry into the Meaning of Sin and Faith is Rawls's undergraduate senior thesis, submitted in December 1942, just before he entered the army. At that time Rawls was deeply religious; the thesis is a significant work of theological ethics, of interest both in itself and because of its relation to his mature writings. "On My Religion," a short statement drafted in 1997, describes the history of his religious beliefs and attitudes toward religion, including his abandonment of orthodoxy during World War II." "The present volume includes these two texts, together with an Introduction by Joshua Cohen and Thomas Nagel, which discusses their relation to Rawls s published work, and an essay by Robert Merrihew Adams, which places the thesis in its theological context." "The texts display the profound engagement with religion that forms the background of Rawls's later views on the importance of separating religion and politics. Moreover, the moral and social convictions that the thesis expresses in religious form are related in illuminating ways to the central ideas of Rawls's later writings. His notions of sin, faith, and community are simultaneously moral and theological, and prefigure the moral outlook found in Theory of Justice."--Jacket

john Rawls Never Published Anything About His Own Religious Beliefs, But After His Death Two Texts Were Discovered Which Shed Extraordinary Light On The Subject. a Brief Inquiry Into The Meaning Of Sin And Faith Is Rawls’s Undergraduate Senior Thesis, Submitted In December 1942, Just Before He Entered The Army. At That Time Rawls Was Deeply Religious; The Thesis Is A Significant Work Of Theological Ethics, Of Interest Both In Itself And Because Of Its Relation To His Mature Writings. “on My Religion,” A Short Statement Drafted In 1997, Describes The History Of His Religious Beliefs And Attitudes Toward Religion, Including His Abandonment Of Orthodoxy During World War Ii.

the Present Volume Includes These Two Texts, Together With An Introduction By Joshua Cohen And Thomas Nagel, Which Discusses Their Relation To Rawls’s Published Work, And An Essay By Robert Merrihew Adams, Which Places The Thesis In Its Theological Context.

the Texts Display The Profound Engagement With Religion That Forms The Background Of Rawls’s Later Views On The Importance Of Separating Religion And Politics. Moreover, The Moral And Social Convictions That The Thesis Expresses In Religious Form Are Related In Illuminating Ways To The Central Ideas Of Rawls’s Later Writings. His Notions Of Sin, Faith, And Community Are Simultaneously Moral And Theological, And Prefigure The Moral Outlook Found In theory Of Justice.

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what A Pleasure To Read John Rawls's Senior Thesis At Princeton, Which He Submitted In 1942, Long Before His Book a Theory Of Justice (1971) Established Him As America's Most Respected Liberal Philosopher Of Law. Rawls's Later Writings Are As pareve (neutral) As Could Be--they Have No Hint Of The Religious Passion And Wisdom That Permeates His Senior Thesis. Robert Merrihew Adams Has A Long Accompanying Essay Reviewing What Is The Most Exciting In Rawls's Thesis.

Introduction, Joshua Cohen and Thomas Nagel The Theological Ethics of the Young Rawls and Its Background, Robert Merrihew Adams A Brief Inquiry into the Meaning of Sin and Faith A Note on the text Preface A General Prospectus Vindication of the Natural Cosmos The Extended Natural Cosmos The Meaning of Sin The Meaning of Faith Bibliography On My Religion General Index Index of Biblical Passages John Rawls never published anything about his own religious beliefs, but after his death two texts were discovered which shed light on the subject. The present volume includes these two texts, together with an Introduction that discusses their relation to Rawls's published work, and an essay that places them theological context. Rawls' senior thesis, in which he defines faith as community with God and sin as breaking with the community by expressing ego. Includes a pair of preliminary essays and brief later reflection by Rawls backtracking on the more organizational parts of his earlier constructs. John Rawls's Princeton senior thesis, accompanied by a brief essay Rawls wrote in the 1990s on his religious beliefs and serious introductions by Thomas Nagel, Robert Brandom, and Bob Adams It seems that every theology and every philosophy proceeds to investigate experience with certain fundamental presuppositions.