Gazing Through a Prism Darkly: Reflections on Merold Westphal's Hermeneutical Epistemology (Perspectives in Continental Philosophy)

Merold Westphal has been in the foremost ranks of philosophers who proclaim a new postsecular philosophy. By articulating an epistemology sensitive to the realities of cognitive finitude and moral weakness, he defends a wisdom that begins in both humility and commitment, one that always confesses that human beings can encounter meaning and truth only as human beings, never as gods. The present volume focuses on this wisdom of humility that characterizes Westphal's thought and explores how that wisdom, expressed through the redemptive dynamic of doubt, can contribute to developing a postsecular apologetic for faith. This book can function both as an accessible introduction to Westphal for those who have not read him extensively and also as an informed critical appreciation and extension of his work for those who are more experienced readers. The Benefit Of The Doubt : Merold Westphal's Prophetic Philosophy Of Religion / B. Keith Putt -- Despoiling The Egyptians--gently : Merold Westphal And Hegel / William Desmond -- Merold Westphal On The Sociopolitical Implications Of Kierkegaard's Thought / C. Stephen Evans -- Levinas And Kierkegaard On Triadic Relations With God / M. Jamie Ferreira -- Appropriating Westphal Appropriating Nietzsche : Merold Westphal As A Theological Resource / Bruce Ellis Benson -- Remaining Faithful : Postmodern Claims, Christian Messages / Edith Wyschogrod -- The God Who Refuses To Appear On Philosophy's Terms / Martin Beck Matuštík -- What Is Merold Westphal's Critique Of Ontotheology Criticizing? / John D. Caputo -- Transcendence In Tears / Kevin Hart -- Between The Prophetic And The Sacramental / Richard Kearney -- Taking The Wager Of/on Love : Luce Irigaray And The Caress / James H. Olthuis -- The Joy Of Being Indebted : A Concluding Response / Merold Westphal -- Talking To Balaam's Ass : A Concluding Conversation / B. Keith Putt And Merold Westphal. Edited By B. Keith Putt. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 207-233) And Index. Content: The benefit of the doubt : Merold Westphal's prophetic philosophy of religion / B. Keith Putt -- Despoiling the Egyptians--gently : Merold Westphal and Hegel / William Desmond -- Merold Westphal on the sociopolitical implications of Kierkegaard's thought / C. Stephen Evans -- Levinas and Kierkegaard on triadic relations with God / M. Jamie Ferreira -- Appropriating Westphal appropriating Nietzsche : Merold Westphal as a theological resource / Bruce Ellis Benson -- Remaining faithful : postmodern claims, Christian messages / Edith Wyschogrod -- The God who refuses to appear on philosophy's terms / Martin Beck Matuštík -- What is Merold Westphal's critique of ontotheology criticizing? / John D. Caputo -- Transcendence in tears / Kevin Hart -- Between the prophetic and the sacramental / Richard Kearney -- Taking the wager of/on love : Luce Irigaray and the caress / James H. Olthuis -- The joy of being indebted : a concluding response / Merold Westphal -- Talking to Balaam's ass : a concluding conversation / B. Keith Putt and Merold Westphal. The benefit of the doubt : Merold Westphal's prophetic philosophy of religion / B. Keith Putt Despoiling the Egyptians gently : Merold Westphal and Hegel / William Desmond Merold Westphal on the sociopolitical implications of Kierkegaard's thought / C. Stephen Evans Levinas and Kierkegaard on triadic relations with God / M. Jamie Ferreira Appropriating Westphal appropriating Nietzsche : Merold Westphal as a theological resource / Bruce Ellis Benson Remaining faithful : postmodern claims, Christian messages / Edith Wyschogrod The God who refuses to appear on philosophy's terms / Martin Beck Matuštík What is Merold Westphal's critique of ontotheology criticizing? / John D. Caputo Transcendence in tears / Kevin Hart Between the prophetic and the sacramental / Richard Kearney Taking the wager of/on love : Luce Irigaray and the caress / James H. Olthuis The joy of being indebted : a concluding response / Merold Westphal Talking to Balaam's ass : a concluding conversation / B. Keith Putt and Merold Westphal. Merold Westphal has been in the foremost ranks of philosophers who proclaim a new post-secular philosophy. By articulating an epistemology sensitive to the realities of cognitive finitude and moral weakness, he defends a wisdom that begins in both humility and commitment, one that always confesses that human beings can encounter meaning and truth only as human beings, never as gods. This book focuses on this wisdom of humility that characterizes Westphal's thought and explores how that wisdom, expressed through the redemptive dynamic of doubt, can contribute to developing a post-secular apologetic for faith. This book can function both as an accessible introduction to Westphal for those who have not read him extensively and also as an informed critical appreciation and extension of his work for those who are more experienced readers Contents 10 Acknowledgments 12 Gazing Through a Prism Darkly 14 The Benefit of the Doubt 16 Despoiling the Egyptians - Gently 35 Merold Westphal on the Sociopolitical Implications of Kierkegaard's Thought 50 Levinas and Kierkegaard on Triadic Relations with God 61 Appropriating Westphal Appropriating Nietzsche 76 Remaining Faithful 89 The God Who Refuses to Appear on Philosophy's Terms 101 What Is Merold Westphal's Critique of Ontotheology Criticizing? 115 Transcendence in Tears 131 Between the Prophetic and the Sacramental 154 Taking the Wager of/on Love 165 The Joy of Being Indebted 178 Talking to Balaam's Ass 196 Notes 222 Contributors 250 Index 252 Merold Westphal has been in the foremost ranks of philosophers who proclaim a new, post-secular philosophy. This book focuses on the wisdom of humility that characterizes Westphal's thought and explores how that wisdom, expressed through the redemptive dynamic of doubt, can contribute to developing a post secular apologetic for faith.