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This fascinating monograph tackles a well-established problem in the philosophy of education. The problem is the threat posed to the logical possibility of non-confessional religious education by the claim that religion constitutes an autonomous language-game or form of knowledge. Defenders of this claim argue that religion cannot be understood from the outside: it is impossible to impart religious understanding unless one is also prepared to impart religious belief. Michael Hand argues for two central points: first, that non-confessional religious education would indeed be impossible if it were true that religion constitutes a distinct form of knowledge; and, second, that religion does not in fact constitute a distinct form of knowledge.
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Is Religious Education Possible?
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Is Religious Education Possible? A PHILOSOPHICAL INVESTIGATION Michael Hand
continuum
Continuum International Publishing Group The Tower Building 80 Maiden Lane, Ste 704 11 York Road New York, NY 10038 London SE1 7NX © Michael Hand, 2006 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publishers. Michael Hand has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as author of this work British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN: 0-8264-9150-2 (hardback) Typeset by Ben Cracknell Studios Printed and bound in Great Britain by MPG Books Ltd, Cornwall
Contents
Foreword
vii
1 A Philosophical Problem Introduction The philosophical debate Paul Hirst Roger Marples David Attfield Peter Gardner A related debate Conclusion
1 1 2 3 9 12 16 19 23
2 Understanding a Form of Knowledge Introduction The forms of knowledge thesis Hirst's presentation of the thesis Criticisms of Hirst Knowledge, propositions and truth A restatement of the thesis Understanding a form of knowledge Conclusion
25 25 25 26 37 41 46 52 55
3 Is there a Religious Form of Knowledge? Introduction Six accounts of religious belief Wittgenstein D.Z. Phillips
57 57 57 58 64
vi
Is Religious Education Possible ? W.D. Hudson John Wisdom Allen Brent Michael Leahy and Ronald Laura Conclusion
69 76 84 87 91
4 The Meaning of Religious Propositions Introduction The concept of religion Metaphorical applications of the term 'religion' Two criteria of religion Two anxieties about the concept of religion The meaning of religious propositions The concept of god A note on the term 'God' The logic of disputes about gods Conclusion
93 93 93 94 95 99 105 107 109 111 117
5 Mental and Material Propositions Introduction Mental and material propositions The autonomy of mental propositions Descartes' argument The behaviourist case Knowledge without observation The problem of other minds Conclusion
119 119 119 122 124 127 137 140 148
6 Conclusion
151
Bibliography Index
155 159
Foreword
This book poses the question: is non-confessional religious education logically possible? The word 'logical' is crucial, for the book is not concerned with the fact of something being taught in schools. Clearly there is such a subject; and its teaching is a legal requirement. Rather