Philosophical pragmatism and religious belief : interpreting Christian non-realism through John Dewey and Richard Rorty
In this thesis I consider the account of religious non-realism in the work of Don Cupitt and in other prominent writers belonging to the 'Sea of Faith' network. I argue that the appropriate context of the non-realists understanding of religious belief is provided by philosophical pragmatism as this is presented in the work of John Dewey and Richard Rorty. This context outlines important aspects of the 'Sea of Faith' religious non-realists' self-understanding; and provides them with an argumentative resource which they can employ against alternative critical-realist approaches to religious belief I show that John Dewey's understanding of religious faith coheres with many of the ideas expressed by religious non-realists and that Rorty's pragmatism provides religious non-realism with a contemporary philosophical articulation of its theology. In order to defend this assertion I argue that Rorty's pragmatism does not necessarily lead to radical subjectivism nor to a dangerous political ideology as some interpreters have suggested. Further, I argue that his ideas are open to theological appropriation and that his rejection of religious belief is tempered by a tolerance toward those who still find a use for it. Rorty,
Knight, Philip J.
Philosophy
Philosophical pragmatism and religious belief : interpreting Christian non-realism through John Dewey and Richard Rorty. In this thesis I consider the account of religious non-realism in the work of Don Cupitt and in other prominent writers belonging to the 'Sea of Faith' network. I argue that the appropriate context of the non-realists understanding of religious belief is provided by philosophical pragmatism as this is presented in the work of John Dewey and Richard Rorty. This context outlines important aspects of the 'Sea of Faith' religious non-realists' self-understanding; and provides them with an argumentative resource which they can employ against alternative critical-realist approaches to religious belief I show that John Dewey's understanding of religious faith coheres with many of the ideas expressed by religious non-realists and that Rorty's pragmatism provides religious non-realism with a contemporary philosophical articulation of its theology. In order to defend this assertion I argue that Rorty's pragmatism does not necessarily lead to radical subjectivism nor to a dangerous political ideology as some interpreters have suggested. Further, I argue that his ideas are open to theological appropriation and that his rejection of religious belief is tempered by a tolerance toward those who still find a use for it. Rorty,
philosophical pragmatism religious_belief interpreting christian non realism john consider account religious non realism work prominent writer belong sea faith network argue appropriate context non realists religious_belief provide philosophical pragmatism present_work john context outline important_aspect sea faith religious non realists self_understanding provide argumentative resource employ alternative critical realist approach religious_belief show john religious_faith many idea_express religious non realists pragmatism provide religious non realism contemporary philosophical articulation theology order defend assertion argue pragmatism necessarily lead radical subjectivism dangerous political_ideology interpreter suggest argue idea open theological appropriation rejection religious_belief temper tolerance toward still use