Title: Reason, truth, and theology in a pragmatist perspective /
Authors: Murray, Paul D., 1964-
Publisher: Peeters,
Year: 2004
Subjects: Philosophical theology.; Reason.; Truth; Pragmatism.
Abstract: "In this work Paul Murray explores which style of rationality is most appropriate to Christian theology in the contemporary pluralist, postfoundationalist, post-modern context. At its heart is a fresh consideration of the American pragmatist tradition, focussing on the writings of Richard Rorty and Nicholas Rescher. Where Rorty correctly diagnoses the failures of foundationalist "objectivism" Rescher's "pragmatic idealism" is presented as healing the ills in Rorty's own neo-pragmatism. The significant resonance between Rescher's view of rationality and Christian understanding of the Trinity is explored. In turn, Donald MacKinnon's influential writings are presented as exemplifying just such an approach to theology. Murray both articulates an enriched form of Christian postliberalism, committed to receiving and learning from other traditions of thought and practice and probes the claim that the dynamics of human rationality can be expected to reflect the Trinitarian dynamics of God's being."--BOOK JACKET.
Contents: Establishing the agenda: Christian theology and the post-modern questioning of reason -- On the utility of truth: a pragmatic critique of Richard Rorty's neo-pragmatism -- Seeking after truth in the postfoundationalist context: Nicholas Rescher's pragmatic-idealist account of human rationality -- Fallibilism, faith and theology: the prospects for a theological appropriation of Rescher's pragmatic-idealist account of human rationality -- Theology in the borderlands: Donald MacKinnon's writings as exemplifying a pragmatic-idealist approach to theology.