Philosophy of religion Books

Book SynopsisIn this book Stephen Phillips focuses on one of the most important poems about meditation in world literature, as understood by two of the greatest philosophers of India, one classical, one modern. Sankara's commentaries on the Upanisads are a core of the Vedanta tradition and Aurobindo is a towering figure of 20th-century Hindu thought. This is the first time their approaches have been studied together. The Isa (c. 500 BCE) an Upanisad belongs to a genre of adhyatmika learningconcerning self and consciousnessin early Indian literature. According to the Ancient Indian tradition of yoga, meditation is antithetical to willful bodily and mental action. Breathing is all you do. In the conception of the Isa Upanisad, we are told that the best that comes from meditation is because of what the Lord is. In Sankara's interpretation it comes to block out the little you, whereas according to Aurobindo it comes as a divine connection, an occult Conscious Force belonging to truer part of oneself

Read more less

Book SynopsisPeter Forrest is Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at the University of New England, Armidale, Australia.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBy developing a new ontological argument for the existence of God, Joshua R. Sijuwade presents an innovative approach that enriches the existing discourse with fresh insights and a contemporary perspective.The ontological argument seeks to demonstrate the existence of God from an a priori standpoint and Sijuwade begins by addressing the substantial critique the modal argument has received. He embarks on a rigorous exploration, providing needed analysis and a positive iteration termed the Rational Ontological Argument', rooted in a novel modal methodology known as Rational Modal Realism.Using this new method, Sijuwade focuses on demonstrating how the central concepts and theories within modal metaphysics and epistemologysuch as modal realism, modal rationalism, trope theory and ontological pluralismoffer a means to develop a victorious ontological argument.Employing contemporary analytic methods and suggesting productive directions for further research,

Read more less

Book SynopsisPaul Dumouchel is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Québec-Montréal, Canada.Benoît Chantre is President of the Mimetic Research Association, France.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTim Labron is Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Concordia University of Edmonton, Canada.Trade Review[A] good contribution to considerations of the relation between science and religion. * The Journal of Religion *By the end of the book, one grasps a unique philosophical approach to reality itself. This alone is well worth the trip. * Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *In an academic environment in which the name of Wittgenstein is piously honoured but his way of doing philosophy seldom put into practice, it is a pleasure to welcome Tim Labron’s intervention: this lucidly argued, very readable and accessible study of much the same deep questions and permanently tempting muddles that Wittgenstein taught us how to deal with all these years ago, exposed here and resisted with such wonderful patience and clarity. * Fergus Kerr, Honorary Fellow in the School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh, UK *If the enemy of one’s enemy is a friend, then Tim Labron has done us the great service of introducing readers to two friends whose writings expose confusions that have bewitched our contemporary culture just to the extent that we proudly consider ourselves 'scientific.' Labron endeavors to show how philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein and quantum physicist Niels Bohr, in complementary ways, unravel the tangled skein of scientific reductionism. This richly researched volume will bring to light a radical alternative to the popular 'conflict model' that presumes science cannot help but be pitted against religion. Once the alternative model has cleared away the confusions, religion is relieved of the burden of striving for standards that science itself cannot meet precisely because those standards are unintelligible. * Brad J. Kallenberg, Professor of Theology & Ethics, University of Dayton, USA *Labron has written a stimulating but accessible book on the supposed conflict between religion and science. He shows that the real issue is not some inevitable conflict between religion and science, but is rather a problem with clarifying for ourselves what realism in each area properly amounts to. Although Labron employs a variety of Wittgensteinian techniques in his discussion, he nowhere loses contact with the level at which the discussion matters most—the level of popular religion and popular science. He does not leave the discussion at that level but manages to lift it without losing his audience. It is worth mentioning too that Labron employs Wittgensteinian techniques but his goal is to show the fly the way out of the fly-bottle, not to entrap the fly in some form of Wittgensteinian fideism. * Kelly Dean Jolley, Goodwin Philpott Profoessor of Religion and Philosophy, Auburn University, USA *Tim Labron issues a refreshing and provocative call to exorcise a false gulf between the person and ‘external reality,’ and instead recognise how we participate in a reality which is too great, ‘rough,’ and ‘dappled,’ to be neatly reduced to simple foundations and rigid ideal laws. He invites us not only to ‘escape from the fly-bottle,’ but also to ‘think outside the post-Cartesian box.’ * Richard Conrad, OP, Director of the Aquinas Institute, Blackfriars, Oxford, UK *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments 1. Introduction 2. Philosophy and the Fly-Bottle 3. Physics and the Fly-Bottle 4. Religion and the Fly-Bottle 5. Conclusion Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisDesigned to help readers deepen their understanding of Hinduism, and reflecting themes central to the study of religion and culture, Jessica Frazier explores classical Hindu theories of self, the body, the cosmos, and human action. Case studies from Hindu texts provide readers with direct access to primary sources in translation, ranging from ancient cosmology to philosophical teachings and modern ritual practices.Hinduism is often depicted as being so diverse that it is the most difficult of all of the world religions to understand or explain. Hindu Worldviews explains core ideas about the human mind and body, showing how they fit into concepts of the Self, and practices of embodiment in Hinduism. It draws on western theoretical concepts as a point of entry, connecting contemporary Hindu culture directly with both western and classical Hindu theories.Through the theme of the Self in classical Hindu sources, the chapters provide an interpretative framework for understanding clasTrade ReviewThis well written and interesting book is an important contribution that offers a fresh reading of Hindu thinking and practice, showing us that a Hindu history of ideas is relevant to contemporary intellectual concerns. This is a book that should widely read not only within Hindu Studies but in broader context of philosophical and religious history. * Professor Gavin Flood FBA, Yap Kim Hao Professor of Comparative Religious Studies, Yale-NUS College, Singapore *In this far-reaching work, Jessica Frazier explodes the myth - and it still needs exploding - that the foundations of Hindu thought encourage the agent to recoil from world and body in the realization that illusion is the true mark of reality. In this magisterial overview, she displays with penetrating insight the impressive range of options and explorations for constructive engagement with the worlds in which we live that characterises the Hindu intellectual heritage. An achievement of wonderful scholarship and understanding. * Professor Julius Lipner, Fellow of the British Academy, Professor emeritus of Hinduism and the Comparative Study of Religion, University of Cambridge *Hindu Worldviews stands strong in a field that has been reinvestigating methodologies, bridging the sometimes overlooked aspects of religions and cultures as missed by the colonizing gaze. Frazier does careful work in engaging the classical Hindu worldviews towards her second goal of finding a more global theory of everything, as well as adeptly focusing on her first stated goal of exploring the classical worldviews of a multiform Hinduism. * Reading Religion *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements Note on Translations 1. Introduction: Hindu Worldviews and Global Theory Part One - The Art of Embodiment: The Self Made of Matter 2. Theories of Self in Classical Hinduism 3. Bodies Made of Elements and Structures 4. Bodies Made of Substances and Modes 5. Agency and the Art of the Self Part Two - Becoming the World: The Self Made of Thought 6. Theories of Reason in Classical Hinduism 7. Becoming the World through Reason 8. Theories of Everything Part Three - Shaping the World: Classical Embodiment in Practice 9. Theories of Ritual and Practice in Hindu Culture 10. Practices of Materiality: Structuring and Transformative Rituals 11. Interactive Practices and the Community of Selves 12. Speculative Practices and the Reality of Ideas 13. Conclusion: The Art of Being Human in the Hindu Cosmos References Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisCharles Taliaferro is Professor and Chair of Philosophy at St. Olaf College, USA. He the author, co-author or editor of over twenty books and is the Editor-in Chief of the journal Open Theology, based in Berlin, Germany. His previous publications include The Golden Cord; A Short Book on the Sacred and the Secular (2012), A Brief History of the Soul (co-authored, 2011), Consciousness and the Mind of God (2005), and Contemporary Philosophy of Religion (1998). He is the co-editor of The Routledge Companion to Theism (2012), The Cambridge Companion to Christian Philosophical Theology (2010), and A Companion to Philosophy of Religion (1999). He was the philosophy of religion area editor of the Encyclopedia of Philosophy, second edition, and is on the editorial board of Religious Studies, Sophia, Blackwell's Philosophy Compass, American Philosophical Quarterly, and Ars Disputandi. Elsa J. Marty Trade ReviewA Dictionary of Philosophy of Religion is more than a dictionary, it is a tremendous achievement. The significantly updated 2nd edition guides the reader through a breathtaking exploration of key ideas and figures from both eastern and western traditions. It also contains an updated essay on the state of play in the field, along with other excellent resources of value to students and teacher. It will surely become an essential companion to anyone with an interest in the intersection of philosophy and religion. * Victoria Harrison, Professor of Philosophy, University of Macau, China *Taliaferro and Marty have produced a masterly 2nd edition to this guidebook to the philosophy of religion. New contributors have been brought to the table, the content has been expanded to include more non-Western figures, and the already excellent overview has been updated. Essential reading for anyone working in the field, and a testimony to its vibrancy. * Fiona Ellis, Professor of Philosophy, University of Roehampton, UK, and Director of the Centre for Philosophy of Religion, Heythrop College, University of London, UK *Taliaferro and Marty have brought together a fine team of scholars to produce an up-to-date, concise philosophy of religion dictionary that will ably serve both the novice and the scholar. Besides the accessible, succinct entries, the dictionary contains certain bonus features: excellent introductory material, a useful philosophical/historical timeline, and an extensive bibliography for further reading. A terrific resource! * Paul Copan, Professor and Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics, Palm Beach Atlantic University, USA, and co-editor of the Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Religion *With its concise, clear, yet comprehensive entries on the major themes and historical figures in the discipline and in its environs, this is a very useful reference work for students of the subject. * Tim Mawson, Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy, the University of Oxford, UK, and author of Belief in God: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion *In conversation with some of the finest philosophical minds of our day, Taliaferro and Marty have crafted the quintessential philosophy of religion dictionary. Engaging, au courant, and filled with luminous definitions and clever examples, this unique and cross-cultural work offers a rich learning experience for both neophytes and experts. This resource is a truly outstanding accomplishment. * Chad V. Meister, Professor of Philosophy, Bethel College, USA, and author of Introducing Philosophy of Religion *This dictionary is precisely what a student will reach for regularly as the class notes and assigned readings turn cryptic. The entries are very well chosen and the brief definitions—some standing as actual discussions—are presented with clarity and economy. It is a volume that will earn the thanks of untold numbers. * Daniel N. Robinson, Professor in the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford, UK, and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, Georgetown University, USA. *This dictionary is informative, highly comprehensive, and a valuable research resource for students and scholars alike. * Robert Audi, Professor of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame, USA, and General Editor of The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy *…[a] valuable resource, especially for undergraduates and those who are new to the field. It very much reflects the diversity and breadth of the topics and thinkers addressed in contemporary philosophy of religion. * Reading Religion *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Preface Introduction Chronology Dictionary Bibliography About the Authors

Read more less

Book SynopsisDid the evangelist Mark write two versions of his gospel? According to a letter ascribed to Clement of Alexandria, Mark created a second, more spiritual edition of his gospel for theologically advanced Christians in Alexandria. Clement's letter contains two excerpts from this lost gospel, including a remarkably different account of the raising of Lazarus. Forty-five years of cursory investigation have yielded five mutually exclusive paradigms, abundant confusion, and rumours of forgery. Strangely, one of the few things upon which most investigators agree is that the letter's own explanation of the origin and purpose of this longer gospel need not be taken seriously. Mark's Other Gospel: Rethinking Morton Smith's Controversial Discovery calls this pervasive bias into question. After thoroughly critiquing the five main paradigms, Scott G. Brown demonstrates that the gospel excerpts not only sound like Mark, but also employ Mark's distinctive literary techniques, deepening this gospels theology and elucidating puzzling aspects of its narrative. This mystic gospel represents Mark's own response to the Alexandrian predilection to discover the essential truths of a philosophy beneath the literal level of revered texts.Table of Contents Acknowledgments Preface List of Abbreviations The Letter to Theodore Clement's Citations from the Longer Gospel Part One: Rethinking the Dominant Paradigm Chapter 1: A Longer, Esoteric Version of Mark's Gospel Scholarly Assessments of the Longer Gospel A Literary Thesis Chapter 2: The Question of the Authenticity of the Letter to Theodore The Manuscript The Possibility of Modern Forgery The Possibility of Ancient Forgery Conclusions Chapter 3: Longer Mark's Relation to Other Gospels Longer Mark's Basis in Oral Tradition Longer Mark's Relation to John Longer Mark's Relation to Matthew and Luke Longer Mark's Relation to Non-Canonical Gospels Longer Mark's Relation to Canonical Mark Chapter 4: The Nature of the Longer Gospel Clement's Conception of the Genre of the Longer Gospel The Reason for the Discretion Surrounding the Use of the Longer Gospel Conclusions Chapter 5: The Original Purpose and Later Use of the Longer Gospel The Baptismal Reading of LGM 1b The Baptismal Reading of the Letter to Theodore Alternative Cultic Interpretations The Need for a Literary Perspective on LGM 1 and 2 The Original Purpose and Later Use of LGM 1 and 2 Conclusions Part Two: Analysis of Markan Literary Techniques Chapter 6: Longer Mark's Use of Intercalation The Formal Characteristics of Intercalation The Hermeneutical Significance of Intercalation Excursus on the Relevance of Intercalation to the Question of the Authenticity of the Letter to Theodore Chapter 7: Longer Mark's Use of Framing Stories What Constitutes an Inclusio? Do Mark 10:32 and 16:7-8 Create an Inclusio? LGM 1 and 2 and Mark 16:18 as a Frame for the Passion Chapter 8: Longer Mark's Use of Verbal Echoes Reminiscences of the Man with Many Possessions “And After Six Days” The “Great Cry” from the Tomb “The Mystery of the Kingdom of God” LGM 1:12 as an Elaboration of Themes Introduced in Mark 4:11-12 The Mystery of the Kingdom of God and the Markan Gospel's Imperative of Spiritual Understanding Deeper Understanding as a Literary Agenda Shared by the Longer and Shorter Gospels Chapter 9: Conclusions The Nature and Original Purpose of the Longer Gospel Who Wrote the Longer Gospel? How and When Was the Longer Gospel Composed? Longer Mark's Relevance to Scholarship Notes Bibliography Modern Authors Index Ancient Sources Index Subject Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisA product of the Second Great Awakening of the nineteenth century, the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement gave rise to such denominations as the Church of Christ (a cappella), the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the independent Christian Churches/ Churches of Christ. While scholars have examined many of the historical, ecclesial, socio-cultural, and biographical dimensions of this indigenously American religious tradition, few have singled it out for philosophical exploration and critique. In Restoration and Philosophy, editor J. Caleb Clanton and a team of philosophers engage with the Stone-Campbell Restoration tradition to address issues related to epistemology, philosophy of science, philosophy of religion, moral philosophy, aesthetics, environmentalism, and race. Along the way, the authors help to contextualize the Stone- Campbell Restoration tradition within American religious history—and within Christian philosophy more generally—and they show its continuing relevance today. Scholars and students of philosophy and religious studies, as as well as ministers and those interested in this uniquely American Christian tradition, will benefit from this carefully edited, thoroughly researched, and highly readable collection of essays by eminent philosophers and religious scholars.Trade Review"It is thrilling to welcome this splendid set of essays identifying and advancing the place of rigorous philosophical reflection in the Restoration tradition. John Locke would also be delighted to see his legacy taken up, diversified, and made available to a new generation of scholars inside and outside the Stone-Campbell tradition. Those who have taken up the task of philosophical reflection in the Catholic and Reformed tradition have now a new conversation partner; the rest of us have a fresh source of inspiration to emulate what is made available in this erudite volume." — William J. Abraham, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

Read more less

Book SynopsisRobert Holmes is one of the leading proponents of nonviolence in the United States, and his influence extends to the rest of the world. However, he has never presented his views on nonviolence in full-length book form. The Ethics of Nonviolence brings together his best essays on the topic, both classic works and more obscure pieces, as well as several important essays that have never been published. Holmes started his career by following Dewey and James, and then turned toward metaethics. The Vietnam War finally led him toward moral problems related to war and violence. For the last forty years he has been a great proponent of nonviolence and pacifism in the style of Tolstoy and Gandhi. If ethics is meant to be more than a purely academic exercise, the theoretical ethics of philosophy must be shown to be relevant to applied morality; the ongoing process of making moral judgments must add value to the world we live in. For Robert Holmes, no aspect of reality is more in need of ethical thinking and reform than the culture of war and violence that cannot be ignored. There are morally viable alternatives to this violence, Holmes argues, and he scrutinizes the sources and implications of such positions. Holmes shows that nonviolence and pacifism can lead us toward a more peaceful and humanely dignified world.Trade ReviewLong before Richard Rorty and Hilary Putnam praised in print the insights of William James and John Dewey, Robert Holmes shed light on the philosophical importance of the classical pragmatists. Long before Larry May and Jeff McMahan debated the merits of pacifism, just war theory, and war realism, Robert Holmes made the case for contingent pacifism. Holmes’s distinctions among and insights concerning the various forms of pragmatism, pacifism, and nonviolence help debunk the easy dismissal of these views. The collected papers of Robert Holmes shed light on why those who summarily reject all forms of pragmatism, pacifism, or nonviolence do so because they continue to misrepresent these important but too often trivialized philosophical views. -- Rick Werner, John Stewart Kennedy Professor of Philosophy Hamilton College Clinton, NY, USAThis welcome collection of essays by Robert L. Holmes reminds us why he is the leading theorist of nonviolence at work today. His careful and thorough treatment of issues together with his clear writing and deep insight all further the inevitable nonviolent revolution required for our violent world to be transformed so as to allow a sustainable human future. Such important work deserves very wide circulation, readership, and consideration. -- Duane L. Cady, Professor of Philosophy Emeritus, Hamline University, USA, and author of From Warism to Pacifism: A Moral ContinuumThe Ethics Of Nonviolence is by far the best book on the subject. Dr. Holmes has understood the nuances of the Gandhian Philosophy as few others have. His understanding of the philosophy and his ability to impart it to students is so unique that I often wish I was a young student again under his tutelage. Dr. Cicovacki must be commended for this outstanding collection of lectures. -- Arun Gandhi, President, Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute, Illinois, USAHolmes has written another cogent book on nonviolence that is also accessible to nonspecialists. His treatment of Dewey is excellent, as well as his reasoning about pragmatic and principled nonviolence. For readers familiar with his work, the appendix with Cicovacki’s interview of him will be much appreciated. -- William C. Gay, Professor of Philosophy, UNC Charlotte, USAThe Ethics of Nonviolence presents the clear and penetrating thinking of one of the foremost theorists of nonviolence in the world today. The readings not only offer insight into the development of Robert L. Holmes’s thought, but more importantly, they reveal the theoretical and practical heart of his ethic of nonviolence, woven from such disparate threads as the ethics of Dewey, Mill, and Kant, critiques of Robert Nozick’s libertarianism and St. Augustine’s defense of just war, and also Holmes’s own views on such contemporary yet eternal topics as evil, terrorism, and the philosophy of teaching. The final chapters treat readers to both his wisdom and his sense of humor. -- Barry L. Gan, Professor of Philosophy, St. Bonaventure University, USATable of ContentsIntroduction 1. John Dewey’s Moral Philosophy in Contemporary Perspective 2. Consequentialism and its Consequences 3. The Limited Relevance of Analytical Ethics to the Problems of Bioethics 4. The Concept of Corporate Responsibility 5. University Neutrality and ROTC 6. The Philosophy of Political Realism in International Affairs 7. The Challenge of Nonviolence in the New World Order 8. St. Augustine and the Just War Theory 9. War, Power, and Nonviolence 10. Violence and Nonviolence 11. The Morality of Nonviolence 12. Terrorism, Violence, and Nonviolence 13. Understanding Evil from the Perspective of Nonviolence 14. Jallianwala Bagh and the Boston Tea Party: Nonviolent Roots of the Indian and American Anti-Imperialism 15. Toward a Nonviolent American Revolution 16. My (Non-)Teaching Philosophy Appendix 1: An Interview with Robert Holmes Appendix 2: Bibliography of Robert Holmes’ Publications

Read more less

Book SynopsisRebirth and the Stream of Life explores the diversity as well as the ethical and religious significance of rebirth beliefs, focusing especially on Hindu and Buddhist traditions but also discussing indigenous religions and ancient Greek thought. Utilizing resources from religious studies, anthropology and theology, an expanded conception of philosophy of religion is exemplified, which takes seriously lived experience rather than treating religious beliefs in isolation from their place in believers’ lives. Drawing upon his expertise in interdisciplinary working and Wittgenstein-influenced approaches, Mikel Burley examines several interrelated phenomena, including purported past-life memories, the relationship between metaphysics and ethics, efforts to ‘demythologize’ rebirth, and moral critiques of the doctrine of karma. This range of topics, with rebirth as a unifying theme, makes the book of value to anyone interested in philosophy, the study of religions, and what it means to believe that we undergo multiple lives.Trade ReviewMikel Burley has written a profound and intriguing study of reincarnation and its relation to karma and ethics using his depth of knowledge of religious traditions and discussions by philosophers, religious studies experts, and anthropologists of the ethical and experiential meaning of rebirth … Burley not only shares an immense knowledge of Western, Hindu, and Buddhist scholarship on all dimensions of rebirth, he also uses his words very artfully and insightfully. * Reading Religion *[A]n original, fascinating, and deeply informed book. It gives a detailed understanding of what it means to believe that we undergo multiple lives with the adequate use of resources from religious studies, anthropology, and theology. ... The author’s reference to various interrelated phenomena such as memories, metaphysics, ethics, demythologize, and the doctrine of Karma makes the book an invaluable one. ... [A] masterpiece ... recommended for every category of people, especially scholars and students of philosophy of religions. * Reviews in Religion and Theology *With clarity and erudition, Burley shows how the many varieties of belief in rebirth are intelligible only in relation to the cultural and moral practices in which a society’s concepts, like that of personhood, are embedded. The sympathetic understanding of rebirth and karma that Burley himself displays is a welcome change from the brusque dismissal of these notions by critics still in the grip of the distorting 'pictures' he exposes. * David E. Cooper, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, Durham University, UK *Burley’s book is an original and incisive contribution to the philosophy of religion. In an exemplary manner, it pays careful attention to possibilities of meaning in order to bring out the sense of rebirth beliefs within the 'stream of life' of a believing community. It is a first-rate piece of work and deserves to have a very large readership. * Brian R. Clack, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of San Diego, USA *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction: Thinking about Rebirth ‘Stream of life’ Terminological matters An expanded conception of philosophy of religion Chapter summaries 1) Varieties of Rebirth Soteriological orientations Retributive correlations Affinitive and consanguineous continuities Concluding remarks 2) Remembering Having Lived Before? ‘Infamous puzzle cases’ Rebirth and remembering Remembering and merely seeming to remember Lived examples Concluding remarks 3) Finding Meaning in Multiple Lives Allegedly fatal objections to rebirth The ethical significance of ‘same person’ Simultaneous multiplicity Rebirth and the spirit world Concluding remarks 4) Integrating Rebirth and Ethics Transmigration and moral outlooks in ancient Greece Eschatologies and ‘ethicization’ Instances of non-karmic ethical integration Concluding remarks 5) Demythologizing Rebirth? ‘Demythologizing’ in theology and the study of religions Karma and rebirth without personal continuation Critical discussion Concluding remarks 6) Karma and Evil Karma as a principle of moral guidance Is the doctrine of karma incoherent? The problem of ‘blaming the victim’ A deep disagreement Alternative aspects of karma Concluding remarks 7) Conclusions Disrupting assumptions Diversity and dispute Methodological reflections Bibliography Index

Read more less