1st Edition

Religion and Wittgenstein's Legacy

Edited By D.Z. Phillips, Mario von der Ruhr Copyright 2005
    344 Pages
    by Routledge

    344 Pages
    by Routledge

    Wittgenstein was one of the greatest philosophers of the twentieth century. In this collection, distinguished Wittgenstein scholars examine his legacy for the philosophy of religion by examining key areas of his work: Wittgenstein's Tractatus; Frazer's 'Golden Bough'; and the implications of his later philosophy for the understanding of religion. Assessments are also provided of the philosophical and theological reception of his work. The collection provides an invaluable resource for graduate and undergraduate teaching of Wittgenstein in relation to religion.

    Contents: Introduction: On reading Wittgenstein on religion, D.Z. Phillips. Part 1 The Problem of 'The Higher' in Wittgenstein's Tractatus: The problem of 'the higher' in Wittgenstein's Tractatus, Piergiorgio Donatelli; What 'ethics' is in the Tractatus is Not, James Conant; Voices in discussion, D.Z. Phillips. Part 2 Wittgenstein's Lectures on Religious Belief: Wittgenstein on religious belief: the gulfs between us, Cora Diamond; Talking of eyebrows: religion and the space of reasons after Wittgenstein, Rosenzweig and Diamond, Paul Franks; Voices in discussion, D.Z. Phillips. Part 3 Wittgenstein and Frazer: Just say the word: magical and logical conceptions in religion, D.Z. Phillips; Contemplative philosophy and doing justice to religion, Van A. Harvey; Voices in discussion, D.Z. Phillips. Part 4 Wittgenstein: The Philosophical Reception: Wittgenstein's English parson: some reflections on the reception of Wittgenstein in the philosophy of religion, Gareth Moore, O.P.; Wittgenstein, religion and the barren midwife, John Edelman; Voices in discussion, D.Z. Phillips. Part 5 Wittgenstein: The Theological Reception: The reception of Wittgenstein's philosophy by theologians, Fergus Kerr; Wittgenstein: the theological reception, I.U. Dalferth; Voices in discussion, D.Z. Phillips. Part 6 Wittgenstein and Culture: Wittgenstein in exile, James C. Klagge; Voices in discussion, D.Z. Phillips. Index.

    Biography

    Mario von der Ruhr, D.Z. Phillips

    '... a substantial collection of essays focusing on what impact Wittgenstein's life and thoughts/writings has on ethics and religion of our present time... this is a good book for philosophers interested in some of the most refined and interesting debates in the philosophy of religion over the past half century... The huge number and detail of the footnotes provide a rich and relatively comprehensive resource for future research... a worthy entry to stimulate new and continued interest in exploring the many ways that Wittgenstein's life and thought has generated and can continue to generate important and creative moments in the fields of ethics, the philosophy of religion, theology and the religious life.' Philosophical Investigations '... the papers themselves offer a rich feast of reflection, and indeed a wider range of perspectives than the appearance of Phillips’ name as editor might at first suggest... the book offers resources for those wanting to move beyond the always appealing aphoristic use of Wittgensteinian nuggets...' Heythrop Journal