The Power of Religion in the Public Sphere (A Columbia / SSRC Book)

The Power of Religion in the Public Sphere represents a rare opportunity to experience a diverse group of preeminent philosophers confronting one pervasive contemporary concern: what role does—or should—religion play in our public lives? Reflecting on her recent work concerning state violence in Israel-Palestine, Judith Butler explores the potential of religious perspectives for renewing cultural and political criticism, while Jürgen Habermas, best known for his seminal conception of the public sphere, thinks through the ambiguous legacy of the concept of "the political" in contemporary theory. Charles Taylor argues for a radical redefinition of secularism, and Cornel West defends civil disobedience and emancipatory theology. Eduardo Mendieta and Jonathan VanAntwerpen detail the immense contribution of these philosophers to contemporary social and political theory, and an afterword by Craig Calhoun places these attempts to reconceive the significance of both religion and the secular in the context of contemporary national and international politics. Columbia University Press "The Power of Religion in the Public Sphere represents a rare opportunity to experience a diverse group of preeminent philosophers confronting one pervasive contemporary concern: what role does or should religion play in our public lives? Reflecting on her recent work concerning state violence in Israel-Palestine, Judith Butler explores the potential of religious perspectives for renewing cultural and political criticism, while Jürgen Habermas, best known for his seminal conception of the public sphere, thinks through the ambiguous legacy of the concept of "the political" in contemporary theory. Charles Taylor argues for a radical redefinition of secularism, and Cornel West defends civil disobedience and emancipatory theology. Eduardo Mendieta and Jonathan VanAntwerpen detail the immense contribution of these philosophers to contemporary social and political theory, and an afterword by Craig Calhoun places these attempts to reconceive the significance of both religion and the secular in the context of contemporary national and international politics." -- Publisher's description The Power of Religion in the Public Sphere represents a rare opportunity to experience a diverse group of preeminent philosophers confronting one pervasive contemporary concern: what role does#x97;or should#x97;religion play in our public lives? Reflecting on her recent work concerning state violence in Israel-Palestine, Judith Butler explores the potential of religious perspectives for renewing cultural and political criticism, while Jürgen Habermas, best known for his seminal conception of the public sphere, thinks through the ambiguous legacy of the concept of "the political" in contemporary theory. Charles Taylor argues for a radical redefinition of secularism, and Cornel West defends civil disobedience and emancipatory theology. Eduardo Mendieta and Jonathan VanAntwerpen detail the immense contribution of these philosophers to contemporary social and political theory, and an afterword by Craig Calhoun places these attempts to reconceive the significance of both religion and the secular in the context of contemporary national and international politics Contains Essays And Dialogues In Which Philosophers Judith Butler, Jürgen Habermas, Charles Taylor, And Cornel West Discuss The Role Of Religion In Public Life. Introduction : The Power Of Religion In The Public Sphere / Eduardo Mendieta And Jonathan Vanantwerpen -- The Political : The Rational Meaning Of A Questionable Inheritance Of Political Theology / Jürgen Habermas -- Why We Need A Radical Redefinition Of Secularism / Charles Taylor -- Dialogue : Jürgen Habermas And Charles Taylor -- Is Judaism Zionism? / Judith Butler -- Prophetic Religion And The Future Of Capitalist Civilization / Cornel West -- Dialogue : Judith Butler And Cornel West -- Concluding Discussion : Butler, Habermas, Taylor, West -- Afterword : Religion's Many Powers / Craig Calhoun. Judith Butler ... [et Al.] ; Edited And Introduced By Eduardo Mendieta And Jonathan Vanantwerpen ; Afterword By Craig Calhoun. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Contents 6 Acknowledgments 8 Introduction: The Power of Religion in the Public Sphere 12 “The Political”: The Rational Meaning of a Questionable Inheritance of Political Theology 26 Why We Need a Radical Redefinition of Secularism 45 Dialogue: Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor 71 Is Judaism Zionism? 81 Prophetic Religion and the Future of Capitalist Civilization 103 Dialogue: Judith Butler and Cornel West 112 Concluding Discussion: Butler, Habermas, Taylor, West 120 Afterword: Religion’s Many Powers 129 Index 146 0231156464,9780231156462,0231156456,9780231156455 Columbia University Press 2011