Continental Philosophy and Philosophy of Religion (Handbook of Contemporary Philosophy of Religion 4)

This book is a survey of the work of twentieth-century Continental philosophy and its potential impact on philosophy of religion as it is has been practiced predominantly in English-speaking countries. Major French thinkers such as Ricoeur, Levinas, Derrida, Foucault and Marion are included, as well as Luce Irigaray and Julia Kristeva. The influence of the Frankfurt school of critical theory, exemplified today by Jürgen Habermas, is also acknowledged. In the English-speaking domain, philosophy of religion has been principally identified with analytic philosophy, where the universal presumptions of an abstract reason, especially with reference to matters of belief and its justification, have dominated. In this tradition, truth pertains to an objective frame of reference, which is based both on logical arguments and modes of verification. In contrast, Continental philosophy does not demarcate a specific area or subject matter that is designated as belonging to philosophy of religion. The boundaries between disciplines and their ideas are much more fluid. As a result, questions regarding religion can be located with reference to specific themes within a worldview that allows for a wide range of influences. In Continental philosophy also there is a greater appreciation of historical and cultural influences on the formation of philosophy's structures and procedures. At the same time, there is a move to greater self-reflexivity and a growing awareness of the need to formulate a distinct ethics of intersubjectivity that seeks justice. The terms of reference have indubitably been changed. Fascinating developments are today occurring as contemporary Continental philosophers explore new possibilities for formulating and responding to traditional philosophical problems in relation to religion from this more expansive perspective This is the first book that provides access to twelve Continental philosophers and the consequences of their thinking for the philosophy of religion. Basically, in the second half of the twentieth century, it has been treated from within the Anglo- American school of philosophy, which deals mainly with proofs and truths, and questions of faith. This approach is more concerned with human experience, and pays more attention to historical context and cultural influences. As such, it provides challenging questions about the way forward for philosophy of religion in the twenty-first century. Read more... Abstract: Continental Philosophy and Philosophy of Religion explores twelve philosophers, and addresses how their thinking shaped the philosophy of religion. The text questions the traditional approach of Anglo-American philosophy, and introduces new questions about the future of religion in the 21st century. Read more... Front Matter....Pages i-ix Introduction....Pages 1-16 Paul Ricoeur: Hermeneutics, Philosophy and Religion....Pages 17-37 Thinking Otherwise: Derrida’s Contribution to Philosophy of Religion....Pages 39-60 Levinas’s Project: An Interpretative Phenomenology of Sensibility and Intersubjectivity....Pages 61-88 The Challenge of Love: Kristeva and Irigaray....Pages 89-112 Thinking Differently: Foucault and the Philosophy of Religion....Pages 113-138 Deleuze and Philosophy of Religion....Pages 139-164 Jean-Luc Marion: Phenomenology of Religion....Pages 165-186 Critical Theory, Negative Theology, and Transcendence....Pages 187-220 Encountering Otherness....Pages 221-246 Back Matter....Pages 247-264 Introduction / -- Morny Joy Paul Ricoeur : hermeneutics, philosophy and religion -- Morny Joy Thinking otherwise : Derrida's contribution to philosophy of religion -- Ellen T. Armour Levinas's project : an interpretative phenomenology of sensibility and intersubjectivity -- Bettina G. Bergo The Challenge of love : Kristeva and Irigaray -- Morny Joy Thinking differently : Foucault and the philosophy of religion -- Jeremy Carrette Deleuze and philosophy of religion -- Philip Goodchild Jean-Luc Marion : phenomenology of religion -- Christina M. Gschwandtner Critical theory, negative theology, and transcendence -- James Swindal Encountering otherness -- Morny Joy.