The Myth of Religious Neutrality : An Essay on the Hidden Role of Religious Belief in Theories - Softcover

Roy A. Clouser

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0268013993 ISBN 13: 9780268013998

Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press, 1992

Synopsis

Critical praise for the original edition: "[The Myth of Religious Neutrality] is very well written. It is clear and informative. There is excellent work on recognizing deficient theories in terms of logical inconsistency, self-referential incoherence, self-assumptive incoherence, and self-performative incoherence. [Clouser s] case studies point out clearly the uproven presuppositions behind many so-called 'rationalist' theories about various aspects of reality." Review of Metaphysics

"[S]ignificant and challenging. . . . Clouser s book makes the case that all theorizing inevitably involves religious beliefs. Clouser s analysis of religion is rich and insightful. . . . [He] articulates a fundamental theme that both modernist and post-modernist thinkers need to recognize: that intellectual activity is deeply and inescapably religious." Calvin Theological Journal

"This book can be warmly commended. It treats important issues in a clear and energetic way and it is a genuine attempt to break some new ground in the philosophy of religion." Religious Studies

Written for undergraduates, the educated layperson, and scholars in fields other than philosophy, The Myth of Religious Neutrality offers a radical reinterpretation of the general relations between religion, science, and philosophy. This new edition has been completely revised and updated by the author.

About this title

About the Author

ROY A. CLOUSER is professor emeritus of philosophy and religion at The College of New Jersey, Trenton.

Review

Contrary to popular opinion that holds that most of the affairs of day-to-day life are seen as neutral with respect to religious belief, [Clouser] finds 'that religious belief is the most powerful and influential belief in the world' and that it 'has the single most decisive influence on everyone's understanding of the major issues of life ranging across the entire spectrum of human experience.” Theology Digest

"[A[] welcome volume for Christians who are in the sciences and especially those who recognize the important role religion can play in science. . . . The Myth of Religious Neutrality has much to commend itself. Certainly philosophers will enjoy reading the revised edition. . . . But I particularly recommend a serious consideration of the book to scientists." Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith

"Clouser urges his fellow-believers to abandon their vain efforts to harmonize pagan philosophical and scientific theories with belief in God and embrace the 'radically biblical' claim that 'there is no knowledge or truth that is neutral with respect to belief in God' (94). This claim, he argues, must include theories about every conceivable aspect of reality, from philosophical overviews of reality and theories of knowledge to aesthetics and zoology. . . . This edition, in which Clouser offers extensive responses and rebuttals to his critics as he travels far and wide across philosophy of religion and biblical studies as well as philosophy of science, ontology, and epistemology, is sure to extend and deepen our understanding of what it means to develop theories that honor our belief that Yahweh alone is that on whom all reality depends." Christian Scholar's Review

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press
• Publication date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0268013993
• ISBN 13: 9780268013998
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384