Burley, M (2015) Approaches to philosophy of religion: Contemplating the world or trying to find our way home? Religious Studies, 51 (2). 221 - 239. ISSN 0034-4125
Abstract
What is the point of philosophy of religion? Is it to help us find the right path in life, with the philosopher as guide and mentor? Or is it, as D. Z. Phillips proposes, to contemplate 'the world in all its variety', deepening our understanding of multiple perspectives (both religious and non-religious) without trying to appropriate or reject any of them? Recognizing certain shortcomings of the former conception, this article seeks to elucidate the latter and to engage with the critical reception of Phillips's work by other Wittgenstein-influenced philosophers. Towards the end, with reference to Rush Rhees and Wittgenstein, I discuss how giving expression to 'wonder at what is terrible' illustrates the ethical demand of a contemplative approach, and in conclusion I offer some thoughts on how this approach could usefully be enriched and extended.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2014,Cambridge University Press . This is an author produced version of a paper published in Religious Studies. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures (Leeds) > School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 11 Jun 2015 12:35 |
Last Modified: | 16 Nov 2016 11:00 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0034412514000377 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
Identification Number: | 10.1017/S0034412514000377 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:85283 |