How Theology Shaped Twentieth-Century Philosophy

Medieval theology had a significant impact on later philosophy, which can be seen in the empiricisms of Russell, Carnap, and Quine. However, other thinkers such as McDowell, Kripke, and Dennett have argued that we can overcome the distorting effects of this theological ecosystem on our understanding of reality and our relationship to it. Hegel uses a secularized version of Christianity to argue for human knowledge that overcomes the influences of late-medieval voluntarism, while some twentieth-century thinkers, such as Benjamin and Derrida, defend a Jewish-influenced notion of the religious sublime. Frank B. Farrell analyzes and connects philosophers of different eras and traditions to show how modern philosophy has developed its practices on a terrain marked out by earlier theological and religious ideas, and considers how different philosophers have both embraced and tried to escape from these deep-seated patterns of thought.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 274 pages
\n Publication date: 08 April 2021
\n Publisher: Cambridge University Press
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Medieval theology exerted a significant impact on subsequent philosophy, which is evident in the empiricisms of Russell, Carnap, and Quine. However, other thinkers, such as McDowell, Kripke, and Dennett, have demonstrated how we can mitigate the distorting influences of that theological ecosystem on our understanding of reality and our relationship to it. In a distinct philosophical lineage, Hegel employs a secularized version of Christianity to advocate for a form of human knowledge that transcends the influences of late-medieval voluntarism. Meanwhile, certain twentieth-century thinkers, including Benjamin and Derrida, defend a notion of the religious sublime influenced by Jewish traditions. Frank B. Farrell meticulously analyzes and connects philosophers from various eras and traditions, revealing that modern philosophy has evolved its practices within a landscape shaped by earlier theological and religious ideas. He also explores how different philosophers have both embraced and attempted to transcend these deeply ingrained patterns of thought.

\n Weight: 402g\n
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 19 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781108740630\n \n