Nathan R. B. Loewen - Böcker

Much philosophical thinking about religion in the Anglophone world has been hampered by the constraints of Eurocentrism, colonialism and orientalism. Addressing such limitations head-on, this exciting collection develops models for exploring global diversity in order to bring philosophical studies of religion into the globalized 21st century. Drawing on a wide range of critical theories and methodologies, and incorporating ethnographic, feminist, computational, New Animist and cognitive science approaches, an international team of contributors outline the methods and aims of global philosophy of religion. From considering the importance of orality in African worldviews to interacting with Native American perspectives on the cosmos and investigating contemplative studies in Hinduism, each chapter demonstrates how expertise in different methods can be applied to various geographical regions, building constructive options for philosophical reflections on religion. Diversifying Philosophy of Religion raises important questions regarding who speaks for and represents religious traditions, setting the agenda for a truly inclusive philosophy of religion that facilitates multiple standpoints.

Much philosophical thinking about religion in the Anglophone world has been hampered by the constraints of Eurocentrism, colonialism and orientalism. Addressing such limitations head-on, this exciting collection develops models for exploring global diversity in order to bring philosophical studies of religion into the globalized 21st century. Drawing on a wide range of critical theories and methodologies, and incorporating ethnographic, feminist, computational, New Animist and cognitive science approaches, an international team of contributors outline the methods and aims of global philosophy of religion. From considering the importance of orality in African worldviews to interacting with Native American perspectives on the cosmos and investigating contemplative studies in Hinduism, each chapter demonstrates how expertise in different methods can be applied to various geographical regions, building constructive options for philosophical reflections on religion. Diversifying Philosophy of Religion raises important questions regarding who speaks for and represents religious traditions, setting the agenda for a truly inclusive philosophy of religion that facilitates multiple standpoints.

How can philosophy of religion become more diverse in content and method? How can we take a multiplicity of stories into account and teach a truly inclusive philosophy of religion? This edited collection invites us to rethink philosophy of religion by offering 18 distinct approaches to teaching philosophy of religion. Engaging texts and thinkers from multiple traditions and standpoints, it constructs a method and terminology of philosophy of religion and presents an opportunity to change philosophy of religion at a fundamental level.Each chapter outlines a framework for approaching religion within a tradition: monotheism in Christianity, Insan-ity in Akbari Sufism, Qi in Daoism, embodiment in neuroscience, naturalism in the atheism debates, and non-territorialism located in 19th century debates on cartography. Drawing from religions and philosophies from around the world and across history, contributors take care to stress the philosophical systems that metaphysical and moral truths belong to. Guided by the principle that traditions are not monolithic but diverse, and categories such as “indigenous religions” are political rather than descriptive in nature, they acknowledge historical context shapes the development of any philosophical system. It is now openly acknowledged that if we do not change the underlying framework of the way we do philosophy of religion, we will always create subalterns. Promoting active interaction, this innovative and forward-looking collection points to a new way of dong philosophy of religion.

How can philosophy of religion become more diverse in content and method? How can we take a multiplicity of stories into account and teach a truly inclusive philosophy of religion? It is now openly acknowledged that if we do not change the underlying framework of the way we do philosophy of religion, we will always create subalterns. Here is an invitation to rethink Philosophy of Religion. Engaging with texts and thinkers from multiple traditions, this book offers 18 distinct approaches to doing Philosophy of Religion and presents an opportunity to change Philosophy of Religion at a fundamental level.Drawing on religions and philosophies from across history and around the world, each chapter outlines a framework for approaching religion from a different standpoint: monotheism in Christianity, Qi in Daoism, embodiment in neuroscience, naturalism in the atheism debates, and non-territorialism in 19th-century debates on cartography. Contributors identify the many philosophical systems that guide metaphysical and moral truths and adhere to the principle that traditions are not monolithic but diverse. They recognise that categories such as “indigenous religions” are political rather than descriptive in nature. Innovative and forward-looking, this collection constructs a new method and terminology that promotes active interaction. It is essential reading for students and teachers looking for a new way of doing Philosophy of Religion.

Without deference to any one religious tradition, Philosophies of the Self makes cross-cultural analysis possible by introducing a multitude of understandings about ourselves that change how we think not only about philosophy of religion but philosophy in general.This is a guide to the many different concepts of the self found in traditions around the world. Ideal for independent study or classroom teaching, Philosophies of the Self represents a break with the orientalist problems around the “East-West” dichotomy. By refusing to defer to any religious tradition, it allows you to learn about and evaluate philosophical conceptions of the self from a broad range of cultures.Covering Shinto, Afro-Brazilian, Jain, Nyaya, Daoist, Nguni, as well as specific philosophical paradigms developed by Iqbal, Ifeanyi Menkiti, and Jacques Derrida, each chapter systematically explores conceptions of self that are specific to a philosophical tradition. Bringing together an international team of contributors, each chapter situates the concepts’ definition, philosophical significance, historical context, and the relevant works or cultural locations in which they appear.From broad, high-level comparison to in-depth, close reading, the structure allows you to engage with the different concepts in a variety of ways. You are able to compare foundational ideas, draw on suggestions for further research and choose a combination of chapters for an in-depth cross-cultural study.

Without deference to any one religious tradition, Philosophies of the Self makes cross-cultural analysis possible by introducing a multitude of understandings about ourselves that change how we think not only about philosophy of religion but philosophy in general.This is a guide to the many different concepts of the self found in traditions around the world. Ideal for independent study or classroom teaching, Philosophies of the Self represents a break with the orientalist problems around the “East-West” dichotomy. By refusing to defer to any religious tradition, it allows you to learn about and evaluate philosophical conceptions of the self from a broad range of cultures.Covering Shinto, Afro-Brazilian, Jain, Nyaya, Daoist, Nguni, as well as specific philosophical paradigms developed by Iqbal, Ifeanyi Menkiti, and Jacques Derrida, each chapter systematically explores conceptions of self that are specific to a philosophical tradition. Bringing together an international team of contributors, each chapter situates the concepts’ definition, philosophical significance, historical context, and the relevant works or cultural locations in which they appear.From broad, high-level comparison to in-depth, close reading, the structure allows you to engage with the different concepts in a variety of ways. You are able to compare foundational ideas, draw on suggestions for further research and choose a combination of chapters for an in-depth cross-cultural study.