Stanley Cavell, Religion, and Continental Philosophy (Philosophy of Religion)

"Impressive . . . a gifted theologian . . . manages to place Cavell in conversation with continental thought as productively as anyone before him." — Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews The American philosopher Stanley Cavell (b. 1926) is a secular Jew who by his own admission is obsessed with Christ, yet his outlook on religion in general is ambiguous. Probing the secular and the sacred in Cavell's thought, Espen Dahl explains that Cavell, while often parting ways with Christianity, cannot dismiss it either. Focusing on Cavell's work as a whole, but especially on his recent engagement with Continental philosophy, Dahl brings out important themes in Cavell's philosophy and his conversation with theology. "It is undoubtedly tricky business writing a book about Stanley Cavell and any book enterprising enough to bring him into conversation with Christian theology should be additionally commended, especially one as likable as Espen Dahl's." — Modern Theology "Clearly, concisely, and powerfully shows Cavell's frequent and deep links to and engagements with religion and religious themes and with (so-called) Continental philosophy . . . Dahl has also written a highly accessible book on Cavell, and yet one which in no way 'waters down' or dilutes Cavell's thinking. There ought to be more books of this kind on Cavell." — International Journal for the Philosophy of Religion "In making such a convincing case for claiming that religion is Stanley Cavell's pervasive, hence invisible, business, Espen Dahl also puts Cavell's writings into sustained and productive dialogue with the work of Levinas and Girard in ways other commentators have not previously managed." —Stephen Mulhall, Oxford University Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgments......Page 8 List of Abbreviations......Page 10 Introduction......Page 14 1. Modernism and Religion......Page 29 2. The Ordinary Sublime......Page 46 3. Acknowledging God......Page 60 4. Skepticism, Finitude, and Sin......Page 79 5. The Tragic Dimension of the Ordinary......Page 94 6. The Other and Violence......Page 115 7. Forgiveness and Passivity......Page 134 Conclusion: The Last Question: Self-redemption or Divine Redemption?......Page 152 Notes......Page 160 Bibliography......Page 176 C......Page 184 E......Page 185 I......Page 186 N......Page 187 R......Page 188 T......Page 189 W......Page 190 Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Acknowledgments 8 List of Abbreviations 10 Introduction 14 1. Modernism and Religion 29 2. The Ordinary Sublime 46 3. Acknowledging God 60 4. Skepticism, Finitude, and Sin 79 5. The Tragic Dimension of the Ordinary 94 6. The Other and Violence 115 7. Forgiveness and Passivity 134 Conclusion: The Last Question: Self-redemption or Divine Redemption? 152 Notes 160 Bibliography 176 Index 184 A 184 B 184 C 184 D 185 E 185 F 186 G 186 H 186 I 186 J 187 K 187 L 187 M 187 N 187 O 188 P 188 R 188 S 189 T 189 U 190 V 190 W 190 The American philosopher Stanley Cavell (b 1926) is a secular Jew by his own admission fascinated with Christ, yet his outlook on religion in general is ambiguous. Probing the secular and religious in Cavell's thought, this book explains that Cavell, while often parting ways with Christianity, continues to return to Christianity. 1. Modernism And Religion -- 2. The Ordinary Sublime -- 3. Acknowledging God -- 4. Skepticism, Finitude, And Sin -- 5. The Tragic Dimension Of The Ordinary -- 6. The Other And Violence -- 7. Forgiveness And Passivity. Espen Dahl. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.