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Approaches to philosophy of religion: contemplating the world or trying to find our way home?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 September 2014

MIKEL BURLEY
MIKEL BURLEY*
Affiliation:
School of Philosophy, Religion and the History of Science, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK e-mail: m.m.burley@leeds.ac.uk
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Abstract

What is the point of philosophy of religion? Is it to help us find the right path in life, with the philosopher as guide and mentor? Or is it, as D. Z. Phillips proposes, to contemplate ‘the world in all its variety’, deepening our understanding of multiple perspectives (both religious and non-religious) without trying to appropriate or reject any of them? Recognizing certain shortcomings of the former conception, this article seeks to elucidate the latter and to engage with the critical reception of Phillips's work by other Wittgenstein-influenced philosophers. Towards the end, with reference to Rush Rhees and Wittgenstein, I discuss how giving expression to ‘wonder at what is terrible’ illustrates the ethical demand of a contemplative approach, and in conclusion I offer some thoughts on how this approach could usefully be enriched and extended.

Type
Articles
Information
Religious Studies , Volume 51 , Issue 2 , June 2015 , pp. 221 - 239
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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