Divine Action and Emergence: An Alternative to Panentheism

Divine Action and Emergence explores the relationship between classical Aristotelian-Thomistic tradition and current philosophy and theology, particularly in the context of emergentist panentheism. It challenges the overly reductionist attitude in natural science and offers a critical evaluation of emergentist panentheism while proposing a constructive reinterpretation of divine action inspired by the theory of emergence. The book appeals to scholars of theology, philosophy, science, emergence theory, and the dialogue between classical Aristotelian-Thomistic tradition and contemporary philosophy and theology.

Format: Hardback
Length: 366 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2021
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

Divine Action and Emergence is a groundbreaking work that engages the classical Aristotelian-Thomistic tradition with contemporary philosophy and theology. As a middle path between classical theism and pantheism, the panentheistic turn in the twentieth century has been described as a "quiet revolution." Today, many theologians hold that the world is "in" God (who, at the same time, is more than the world). Panentheism has been particularly influential in the dialogue between theology and the natural sciences. Many have seen panentheism as compatible with emergentism, and thus have brought the two together in developing models of divine action that do not abrogate the regularities of processes of the natural world.

In Divine Action and Emergence, Mariusz Tabaczek argues that, as inspiring and intriguing as emergentist panentheism is, it requires deeper examination. He begins by looking at the wonder of emergence (which calls into question the overly reductionist attitude in natural science) and by reflecting philosophically on emergence theory in light of classical and new Aristotelianism. Moving in a theological direction, Tabaczek then offers a critical evaluation of emergentist panentheism and a constructive proposal for how to reinterpret the idea of divine action as inspired by the theory of emergence with reference to the classical Aristotelian-Thomistic understanding of God's action in the universe.

Through a unique interdisciplinary approach that puts theology and the natural sciences into a dialogue through philosophy, Divine Action and Emergence offers a comprehensive evaluation of panentheism. It then puts forward an original reinterpretation of emergence theory, thus setting forth a constructive proposal for reinterpreting the concept of divine action that is consistent with the classical Aristotelian-Thomistic understanding of God's action in the universe.

Weight: 654g
Dimension: 179 x 369 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268108731