Future of the Philosophy of Religion

This collection of essays on the philosophy of religion and its future brings together accomplished thinkers across several related fields, from comparative philosophy to analytic and continental philosophy of religion and beyond. Contributing authors address pressing questions including: Where does philosophy stand in relation to religion and the study of religion in the 21st century? How ought the philosophy of religion to interact with religious studies and theology to make for fruitful interdisciplinary engagement? And what does philosophy uniquely have to offer to the broad discourse on religion in the modern world? Through exploring these questions and more, the authors’ goal is not that of meeting the philosophical future, but of forging it.

Readers will enter a vivid conversation through engaging essays which demonstrate the importance of disciplinary openness and show that we do not need to sacrifice depth in order to achieve breadth. Modernity and postmodernity come together in a constantly evolving discussion that moves the philosophy of religion forward, while keeping an eye toward the experience accumulated in past centuries.

This book will interest students of philosophy, theology, religious studies, and other fields that wonder about the place of philosophy and religion in today’s world. It also has much to offer advanced scholars in these fields, through its breadth and forward thinking.

Malcolm David Eckel is Professor of Religion and Director of the Institute for Philosophy and Religion at Boston University. He has received the Metcalf Award for Teaching Excellence (1998), and has served as Distinguished Teaching Professor of the Humanities (2002-5), as well as Assistant Dean and Director of the Core Curriculum. He also has served on the Visiting Committees of Harvard Divinity School and the Department of Asian Art in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.