Faith And Reason: Their Roles In Religious And Secular Life Project Muse Upcc Books

Explores the mutually dependent relationship of faith and reason in human life and human knowledge. Few words are as widely misconceived as the word "faith." Faith is often set in stark opposition to reason, considered antithetical to scientific thought, and heavily identified with religion. Donald Crosby's revealing book provides a more complex picture, discussing faith and its connection to the whole of human life and human knowledge. Crosby writes about that existential faith that underlies, shapes, and supports a person's life and its sense of purpose and direction. Such faith does not make a person religious and being secular does not mean one rejects all forms of faith. Throughout the book Crosby makes the case that faith is fundamentally involved in all processes of reasoning and that reason is an essential part of all dependable forms of faith. Crosby elaborates the major components of faith and goes on to look at the mutually dependent relationships between faith and knowledge, faith and scientific knowledge, and faith and morality. The work's final chapters examine crises of faith among several noted thinkers as well as the author's own journey of faith from plans for the ministry to pastor to secular philosopher and religious naturalist. FAITH AND REASON 4 CONTENTS 8 PREFACE 10 ONE: INITIAL SKETCH OF A CONCEPT OF FAITH 14 TWO: FACETS OF FAITH 26 THREE: FAITH AND KNOWLEDGE 50 FOUR: FAITH AND SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE 74 FIVE: FAITH AND MORALITY 92 SIX: SECULAR FORMS OF FAITH 106 SEVEN: CRISES OF FAITH 120 EIGHT: MY PERSONAL JOURNEY OF FAITH 144 NOTES 170 WORKS CITED 178 INDEX 184 Initial Sketch Of A Concept Of Faith -- Facets Of Faith -- Faith And Knowledge -- Faith And Scientific Knowledge -- Faith And Morality -- Secular Forms Of Faith -- Crises Of Faith -- My Personal Journey Of Faith. Donald A. Crosby. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.