The Philosopher's Playground: Understanding Scriptural Reasoning through Modern Philosophy - Softcover

Goodson, Jacob L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1608995585 ISBN 13: 9781608995585

Publisher: Cascade Books, 2021

Synopsis

Since its inception in 1994, scriptural reasoning has been practiced by academics and religious laypeople on an international scale. Scriptural reasoning is an activity or practice where Jews, Christians, and Muslims read and study together short passages from their traditionally sacred texts. In this book, Jacob L. Goodson describes this activity by giving a tour through modern philosophy and showing how certain arguments, ideas, and theories from modern philosophers help make sense of this inter-religious practice. According to Goodson, one of the most interesting aspects of the practice of scriptural reasoning concerns how its driven by a tension between pragmatism and semiotics—what he calls purposefulness (pragmatism) vs. playfulness (semiotics) throughout the book. Can inter-religious practices only be playful, in terms of an academic “leisure activity”? Or do inter-religious practices need to strive toward a greater end or even a higher purpose, such as peace-making among the Abrahamic faiths or inter-religious friendships? In each individual chapter, Goodson explores this tension within the practice of scriptural reasoning. Utilizing Immanuel Kant’s deontology, Goodson concludes by demonstrating how the practice of scriptural reasoning might work if only two rules are in place while participating in it. 

About this title

About the Author

Jacob L. Goodson is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cascade Books
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1608995585
• ISBN 13: 9781608995585
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 232