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Religions, Reasons and Gods: Essays in Cross-cultural Philosophy of Religion

Hardback

Main Details

Title Religions, Reasons and Gods: Essays in Cross-cultural Philosophy of Religion
Authors and Contributors      By (author) John Clayton
Prepared for publication by Anne M. Blackburn
Prepared for publication by Thomas D. Carroll
Physical Properties
Format:Hardback
Pages:394
Dimensions(mm): Height 229,Width 152
Category/GenreReligion - general
Philosophy of religion
ISBN/Barcode 9780521421041
ClassificationsDewey:210
Audience
Professional & Vocational

Publishing Details

Publisher Cambridge University Press
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publication Date 25 November 2006
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Traditional theistic proofs are often understood as evidence intended to compel belief in a divinity. John Clayton explores the surprisingly varied applications of such proofs in the work of philosophers and theologians from several periods and traditions, thinkers as varied as Ramanuja, al-Ghazali, Anselm, and Jefferson. He shows how the gradual disembedding of theistic proofs from their diverse and local religious contexts is concurrent with the development of natural theologies and atheism as social and intellectual options in early modern Europe and America. Clayton offers a fresh reading of the early modern history of philosophy and theology, arguing that awareness of such history, and the local uses of theistic argument, offer important ways of managing religious and cultural difference in the public sphere. He argues for the importance of historically grounded philosophy of religion to the field of religious studies and public debate on religious pluralism and cultural diversity.

Author Biography

Professor John Clayton was Chair of the Department of Religion and Director of the Graduate Division of Religious and Theological Studies, Boston University from 1997 until his death in 2003. Anne Blackburn is Associate Professor of South Asia and Buddhist Studies in the Department of Asian Studies, Cornell University. Thomas D. Carroll is a PhD candidate in the Graduate Division of Religious and Theological Studies, Boston University.

Reviews

"This is one of the best works on cross-cultural philosophy of religion in the last ten years...Clayton offers an admirable, detailed analysis of theistic arguments and the relationship of faith and reason in early modern philosophy." --Charles Taliaferro, St. Olaf College: Religious Studies Review "...widely accessible for undergraduates and interested general readers...highly recommended for all scholars." --Gregory A. Walter, St. Olaf College: Philosophy in Review