Erik Baldwin – författare

Arguably, Classical Theism endorses the following theses: (1) God exists, (2) God is metaphysically simple, (3) God is impassible, and (4) God is wholly immutable. These theses often, though not always, lead to an endorsement of the view that God is wholly ineffable. Classical Theists, then, often see themselves as apophatic theologians. Ineffability and apophatic theology are not unknown in the great Eastern religious and philosophical traditions. In this Element, the authors explore to what extent the metaphysics of Classical Theism are consistent with the metaphysics of various Eastern traditions. After surveying each tradition, the authors argue that there is not only room for consistency, but that some of the traditions surveyed are plausibly read as endorsing Classical Theism, or at least, something not far off.

Arguably, Classical Theism endorses the following theses: (1) God exists, (2) God is metaphysically simple, (3) God is impassible, and (4) God is wholly immutable. These theses often, though not always, lead to an endorsement of the view that God is wholly ineffable. Classical Theists, then, often see themselves as apophatic theologians. Ineffability and apophatic theology are not unknown in the great Eastern religious and philosophical traditions. In this Element, the authors explore to what extent the metaphysics of Classical Theism are consistent with the metaphysics of various Eastern traditions. After surveying each tradition, the authors argue that there is not only room for consistency, but that some of the traditions surveyed are plausibly read as endorsing Classical Theism, or at least, something not far off.

As an atheistic religious tradition, Buddhism conventionally stands in opposition to Christianity, and any bridge between them is considered to be riddled with contradictory beliefs on God the creator, salvific power and the afterlife. But what if a Buddhist could also be a Classical Theist?Showing how the various contradictions are not as fundamental as commonly thought, Tyler Dalton McNabb and Erik Baldwin challenge existing assumptions and argue that Classical Theism is, in fact, compatible with Buddhism. They draw parallels between the metaphysical doctrines of both traditions, synthesize their ethical and soteriological commitments and demonstrate that the Theist can interpret the Buddhist’s religious experiences, specifically those of emptiness, as veridical, without denying any core doctrine of Classical Theism. By establishing that a synthesis of the two traditions is plausible, this book provides a bold, fresh perspective on the philosophy of religion and reinvigorates philosophical debates between Buddhism and Christianity.

As an atheistic religious tradition, Buddhism conventionally stands in opposition to Christianity, and any bridge between them is considered to be riddled with contradictory beliefs on God the creator, salvific power and the afterlife. But what if a Buddhist could also be a Classical Theist?Showing how the various contradictions are not as fundamental as commonly thought, Tyler Dalton McNabb and Erik Baldwin challenge existing assumptions and argue that Classical Theism is, in fact, compatible with Buddhism. They draw parallels between the metaphysical doctrines of both traditions, synthesize their ethical and soteriological commitments and demonstrate that the Theist can interpret the Buddhist’s religious experiences, specifically those of emptiness, as veridical, without denying any core doctrine of Classical Theism. By establishing that a synthesis of the two traditions is plausible, this book provides a bold, fresh perspective on the philosophy of religion and reinvigorates philosophical debates between Buddhism and Christianity.