The Other Calling: Theology, Intellectual Vocation and Truth (Illuminations: Theory and Religion)

What is the true calling of the intellectual? In this provocative new book, Andrew Shanks presents a distinctive fresh answer. The Other Calling is a systematic riposte both to the elitism of philosophy in the heritage of Plato, and to the typical individualism of Plato's philosophic opponents. Here, instead, intellectual integrity is identified with a form of priesthood. Asserts that intellectuals are critical to bringing together the common aspirations of a community Offers a strikingly original approach to the moral and political aspects of theology’s relationship with philosophy, exploring the perspectives of both disciplines Draws on the work and thought of Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Agnostics, and Atheists Argues for a new, religiously multicultural “priesthood of all thinkers”, considering how once, all intellectuals were as a matter of course also priests Published in the new and prestigious Illuminations series The Other Calling Is A Systematic Riposte Both To The Elitism Of Philosophy In The Heritage Of Plato, And To The Typical Individualism Of Plato's Philosophic Opponents. Here Instead Intellectual Integrity Is Identified With A Form Of Priesthood.--jacket. The Incompleteness Of Philosophy Alone -- Philosophy And Folk Religion: Two 'forms' For A Single 'content' -- 'philosophic Politics' (i): Strauss Among The 'moderns' And The 'postmoderns' -- 'philosophic Politics' (ii): Strauss And The 'ancients' -- Anti-philosophical Philosophy (i): Kojève's Critique Of The 'cloistered Mind' -- Anti-philosophical Philosophy (ii): Epicurus, Rousseau -- Beyond Metaphysics: 'the Science Of The Sacralization Of Honesty, In Theist Catholic Form' -- Coleridge's Notion Of The 'clerisy' -- Sacramentally Rooted Thought -- 'the Conflict': From Amos To Hegel, And Girard -- What Is An Intellectual?/why Theology? Andrew Shanks. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.