Classical Theism and Buddhism: Connecting Metaphysical and Ethical Systems
Ebook
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.
Provides a rigorous synthesis of Buddhism and Classical Theism, challenging the prevailing view that they are incompatible traditions.
Puts forward an original argument on the compatibility between Buddhism and Classical Theism
Articulates the metaphysical, ethical and soteriological doctrines of both traditions, showing how they can be synthesized
Cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary appeal, contributing fresh perspectives to both philosophy and religious studies
Introduction
1. Can a Buddhist be a Classical Theist?
2. Buddhist Objections to Classical Theism
3. Contemporary Objections to Classical Theism
4. Buddhist Ethics and Theistic Ethics: A Synthesis
5. Buddhist Soteriology and the God of Abraham
6. Pluralism Part 1
7. Pluralism Part 2
Notes
Bibliography
Index
McNabb and Baldwin do us an important service in challenging the idea that one cannot be a Buddhist classical theist, and contribute to broadening analytic philosophy of religion so that it engages, and brings into dialogue, a range of religious ideas and perspectives
Classical Theism and Buddhism is a refreshingly generous and well-defended counterpoint to all those who fashionably maintain the incommensurability of Buddhism-Christianity and East-West.
A timely contribution to cross cultural philosophy of religion, combining rigour and philosophical imagination to open a door between Buddhism and Classical Theism.
- Title: Classical Theism and Buddhism: Connecting Metaphysical and Ethical Systems
- Authors: Tyler Dalton McNabb, Erik Baldwin
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2022
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781350189157, 9781350189171, 1350189170, 1350189154
- Resource ID: LLS:9781350189157
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-04-09T06:03:52Z
Tyler Dalton McNabb is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Saint Joseph, Macau.
Erik Baldwin is Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at Indiana University, USA.