Hilary Putnam's internal realism and postliberal theology
This thesis explores the theological appropriation of 'postmodern' or 'antirealist' strands in contemporary philosophy. The examples considered in detail are the 'internal realist' philosophy of Hilary Putnam, and George Lindbeck's 'postliberal' theology as outlined in his books, <I>The Nature of Doctrine</I>. Putnam has developed what he calls 'internal realism' as an attempt to forge a middle path between realism and relativism. 'Relativism' is defined broadly as saying that our viewpoint is always particular and local. Thus the world of knowledge, fact and value is radically dependent on a local language. Since there is no neutral language available for us to judge these particular local languages, it follows that one view may be considered as 'good' as any another. Putnam's internal realism concedes that what we call 'objective knowledge' is always description from a particular point of view, yet does not require us to revise our ordinary understanding and use of 'objective'. Our belifes are never context-free, but there is still such a thing as getting it right and getting it wrong. So Putnam claims to hold a neo-Kantian position which accepts the postmodern critique of a neutral rationality but which
McKinnon, Gillian
Hilary Putnam's internal realism and postliberal theology. This thesis explores the theological appropriation of 'postmodern' or 'antirealist' strands in contemporary philosophy. The examples considered in detail are the 'internal realist' philosophy of Hilary Putnam, and George Lindbeck's 'postliberal' theology as outlined in his books, <I>The Nature of Doctrine</I>. Putnam has developed what he calls 'internal realism' as an attempt to forge a middle path between realism and relativism. 'Relativism' is defined broadly as saying that our viewpoint is always particular and local. Thus the world of knowledge, fact and value is radically dependent on a local language. Since there is no neutral language available for us to judge these particular local languages, it follows that one view may be considered as 'good' as any another. Putnam's internal realism concedes that what we call 'objective knowledge' is always description from a particular point of view, yet does not require us to revise our ordinary understanding and use of 'objective'. Our belifes are never context-free, but there is still such a thing as getting it right and getting it wrong. So Putnam claims to hold a neo-Kantian position which accepts the postmodern critique of a neutral rationality but which
putnam internal realism theology explores theological appropriation postmodern antirealist strand contemporary_philosophy example consider detail internal realist philosophy putnam george theology outline book nature doctrine putnam develop call internal realism attempt forge middle path realism relativism relativism define broadly say viewpoint always particular local thus world knowledge fact value radically dependent local_language since neutral language available judge particular local_language follow view may_consider good another putnam internal realism call objective knowledge always description particular point_view yet require revise ordinary use objective never context_free still thing get right get wrong putnam claim hold neo_kantian position accepts postmodern critique neutral rationality