E-Book Content
FAITH AND PHILOSOPHICAL ANALYSIS What tensions arise between philosophy of religion and theology? What strengths and weaknesses of analytical methods emerge in relation to strongly confessional philosophical theologies, or to Continental philosophies? Faith and Philosophical Analysis evaluates how well philosophy of religion serves in understanding religious faith. Figures who rarely share the space of the same book – leading exponents of analytic philosophy of religion and those who question its legacy – are drawn together in this book, with their disagreements harnessed to positive effect. Figures such as Richard Swinburne and Basil Mitchell reflect on their life-long projects from a perspective which has not previously been seen in print. A wide range of approaches found in contemporary philosophy of religion are explored, including: reformed epistemology, ‘traditional’ metaphysical theory building, feminist methodologies, Wittgensteinian approaches, and American pragmatism. Considering the trends in philosophy of religion as they are interacting across continents, looking particularly at philosophical influences in North America, Britain, and Continental Europe, this book will appeal to students, scholars and general readers with an interest in philosophy of religion, theology, or analytical philosophy. HEYTHROP STUDIES IN CONTEMPORARY PHILOSOPHY, RELIGION & THEOLOGY Series Editor Laurence Paul Hemming, Heythrop College, University of London, UK Series Editorial Advisory Board John McDade SJ; Peter Vardy; Michael Barnes SJ; James Hanvey SJ; Philip Endean SJ; Anne Murphy SHCJ Drawing on renewed willingness amongst theologians and philosophers to enter into critical dialogues with contemporary issues, this series is characterized by Heythrop’s reputation for openness and accessibility in academic engagement. Presenting volumes from a wide international, ecumenical, and disciplinary range of authors, the series explores areas of current theological, philosophical, historical, and political interest. The series incorporates a range of titles: accessible texts, cutting-edge research monographs, and edited collections of essays. Appealing to a wide academic and intellectual community interested in philosophical, religious and theological issues, research and debate, the books in this series will also appeal to a theological readership which includes enquiring lay-people, clergy, members of religious communities, training priests, and anyone engaging broadly in the Catholic tradition and with its many dialogue partners. Published titles A Moral Ontology for a Theistic Ethic Gathering the Nations in Love and Justice Frank G. Kirkpatrick Reading Ecclesiastes A Literary and Cultural Exegesis Mary E. Mills Forthcoming titles include: The Realist Hope A Critique of Anti-Realist Approaches in Contemporary Philosophical Theology Christopher Insole God as Trinity Patterns of Christian Discourse James Hanvey SJ Faith and Philosophical Analysis The Impact of Analytical Philosophy on the Philosophy of Religion Edited by HARRIET A. HARRIS and CHRISTOPHER J. INSOLE © The contributors 2005 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. Harriet A. Harris and Christopher J. Insole have asserted their moral right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the editors of this work. Published by Ashgate Publishing Limited Gower House Croft Road Aldershot Hants GU11 3HR England Ashgate Publishing Company Suite 420 101 Cherry Street Burlington, VT 05401-4405 USA Ashgate website: http://www.ashgate.com British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Faith and philosophical analys