Kant and the Meaning of Religion - Softcover

Godlove, Terry

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0231170335 ISBN 13: 9780231170338

Publisher: Columbia University Press, 2014

Synopsis

Terry F. Godlove discovers in Immanuel Kant's theoretical philosophy resources that have much wider implications beyond Christianity and the philosophical issues that concern monotheism and its beliefs. For Godlove, Kant's insights, when properly applied, can help rejuvenate our understanding of the general study of religion and its challenges. He therefore bypasses what is usually considered to be the "Kantian philosophy of religion" and instead focuses on more fundamental issues, such as Kant's account of concepts, experience, and reason and their significance in controversial matters. Kant and the Meaning of Religion is a subtle and penetrating effort by a leading contemporary philosopher of religion to redefine and reshape the contours of his discipline through a sustained reflection on Kant's so-called "humanizing project."

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Review

This is a distinctive and original contribution to the current interest in Kant's relevance for philosophy of religion. Rather than focusing on Kant's concept of God and philosophical theology, Godlove shows how his epistemology and reflection on the role of concepts in experience can illumine topics in the study of religion. His reading of Kant is informed by issues raised by Nietzsche, Geuss, Brandom, and McDowell, among others, and by recent theorists of religion. I recommend it highly.--Wayne Proudfoot, author of Religious Experience

Kant and the Meaning of Religion aims to show how Kant's philosophy serves as a valuable resource for navigating challenging methodological issues in the field of religious studies. Godlove's aim is not to commend or support Kant's own philosophy of religion but to draw from its epistemology in ways that advance the discussion of key themes in the academic study of religion. This requires the reinterpretation or even rehabilitation of the Kantian themes in question, resulting in fresh perspectives on Kant as well as on the field of religious studies. Godlove's book is quite distinctive for the way it draws on Kant to address religious issues with virtually no appeal to the more familiar references to the ethical element in his philosophy of religion. Moreover, the author announces early on that the Kant of this volume "has no substantive connection with Christianity," ensuring that his project should have wide application across the field of religious studies and should not be viewed as relevant only to the study of religion in the West. Nor should the volume be seen as one more in a series of works concerning the relative compatibility between Kant's religious thought and the biblical outlook. Consequently, one gets the sense of something genuinely fresh and sophisticated in the way in which Kant's thought is invoked here. In short, the book is provocative, constructive, and very welcome. I think it has tremendous long-term value and should provoke considerable debate. It reflects not simply the competent efforts of a mature scholar, but the assured work of a seasoned thinker who has a creative and bold suggestion to make about important matters. In suggesting an unexpected but potentially very fruitful way in which Kant's epistemology can promote the entire field of the academic study of religion, it is in fact an intellectual head-turner.--Gordon E. Michalson Jr., author of Kant and the Problem of God

[Kant and the Meaning of Religion] offers interesting insights into the value of Kant's work for reflecting on religion, and provides an important antidote to anti-philosophical trends in current theorizing about religion--James J. DiCenso "International Journal for Philosophy of Religion "

This bold and carefully-argued work takes issue with Nietzsche's claim that Kant, even in the first Critique, displays himself as a 'cunning Christian.' Godlove convincingly refutes Nietzsche by demonstrating that the key theories defended in the first Critique, especially the distinction between appearance and the thing in itself, are not concessions to Christianity. Rather, Kant posed the problem that called into being the philosophy of religion as a modern discipline.--Stephen R. Palmquist, Hong Kong Baptist University

A closely argued and richly detailed reading of Kant's epistemology.... As Godlove's book masterfully illustrates, scholars can benefit greatly from treating religious ideas--whether Kant's or those of other thinkers--not only as objects of study, but also as methodological resources for their own work.--Charles E. Lockwood "Journal of Religion "

Brilliant and compelling... This book can only be called a stunning accomplishment. One could not ask for a more rich or rewarding study, the mature reflections of a seasoned scholar who is also a philosopher... Do not miss it.--Journal of the American Academy of Religion

Godlove... does a fine job demonstrating how Kant's critical philosophy can be used in the ombudsman's role.--Religious Studies Review

An ambitious and engaging book that promises to unsettle and provoke serious reflection on the way philosophers of religion do their philosophizing.--Review of Politics

About the Author

Terry F. Godlove is professor of philosophy and religion at Hofstra University. His previous books include Religion, Interpretation, and Diversity of Belief: The Framework Model from Kant to Durkheim to Davidson and Teaching Durkheim.

About this edition

• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0231170335
• ISBN 13: 9780231170338
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192