Transcending Fictionalism: God, Minimalism and Realism
Ebook
Exploring alternative conceptions of the divine, Jessica Eastwood considers the ways of believing in God that are authentic and sincere, moving beyond traditional metaphysical structures that many find difficult to accept.
In this study, she examines a unique branch of religious non-realism known as religious fictionalism, making the case for its ability to resonate on an intellectual and emotional level. Considering the extent to which fictionalism allows us to make sense of the role of religion in our spiritual lives, she presents its limitations on adhering to what might be an attractive contemporary model for philosophy of religion called 'the humane turn'.
Articulating an alternative conception of God that we can relate to in an intellectual, emotional and spiritual way, Eastwood sheds light on a minimalist form of religious realism, which preserves the reality of God without committing the theist to a host of additional religious beliefs.
Explores a unique branch of religious anti-realism known as religious fictionalism.
Explores different forms of non-doxastic/non-cognitivist forms of faith, in particular religious fictionalism
Considers how religious fictionalism can resonate on an intellectual, emotional and spiritual level
Challenges the potentially limiting dichotomy of 'realism versus non-realism', and makes the case for a minimalist form of religious realism
Introduction: Religious Seriousness and the Realism/Anti-Realism Debate
1. What Does it Mean to Have Belief? Conceptions of Belief and Faith
2. Standard Anti-Realism and the Nature of 'God' a` la Don Cupitt
3. Can Faith without Belief Be Meaningful?
4. Fictionalism: A Coherent View about Emotions?
5. Fictionalism and 'The Humane Turn'
6. God and Numbers: A Minimal Realism
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Jessica Eastwood is a young theologian already noted for her enthusiasm and originality. Here is a chance to see what she can do in these difficult times.
This is an exciting, provocative, and important book in philosophical theology. Eastwood engages with a variety of traditional and cutting-edge themes concerning our beliefs about the transcendent and offers a 'post-traditional' pathway that takes seriously both the realness of God and the intellectual concerns expressed by so many contemporary people.
Debates about God in recent philosophy have divided their participants into straightforward realists and straightforward non-realists. In this innovative book, Eastwood refuses that dichotomy. She describes her own minimalist view skillfully and argues for it in a sustained and compelling manner. This book will be of interest to anyone working in the philosophy of religion and I heartily recommend it.
- Title: Transcending Fictionalism: God, Minimalism and Realism
- Author: Jessica Eastwood
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2024
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781350327641, 9781350327627, 135032762X, 1350327646
- Resource ID: LLS:9781350327641
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-04-09T08:27:18Z
Jessica Eastwood is Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Lincoln, UK.