Contemplating Religious Forms of Life: Wittgenstein and D.Z. Phillips

by Mikel Burley

Publisher:

Continuum

, 2012

Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951) made profound contributions to many areas of philosophy and cultural understanding, and his thought and methods have inspired numerous inquirers into the forms of our religious life. D. Z. Phillips (1934-2006) pioneered the application of Wittgenstein-influenced approaches to the philosophy of religion, and emphasized the contemplative, non-dogmatic nature of the philosophical task. In Contemplating Religious Forms of Life, Mikel Burley elucidates and critically examines the work of these two philosophers in relation to various aspects of religion, including ritual, mystical experience, faith and reason, realism and non-realism, conceptions of eternal life, and the use of literature as a resource for the contemplation of religious and non-religious beliefs. The book will be of significant value to academics, students and general readers interested in philosophy, religious studies, theology, and the interrelations between these disciplines.

Features

Identifies the contributions of Wittgenstein and D. Z. Phillips to the philosophical understanding of religion
Explains how these contributions have been largely misunderstood.
Shows how the ideas of both philosophers relate to broader debates in philosophy of religion.

Contents

Acknowledgements
Abbreviations

Introduction

Part One: Wittgenstein
1. Primitive Religiosity
2. Absolute Safety
3. The Possibility of Honest Religious Thinking

Part Two: D. Z. Phillips
4. Beyond Realism and Non-Realism
5. Contemplating Eternal Life
6. Philosophy of Religion through Literature

7. Conclusions

Bibliography
Index

Praise for Contemplating Religious Forms of Life: Wittgenstein and D.Z. Phillips

'Contemplating Religious Forms of Life is a pleasure to read. It is articulate, fair, and shows impressive familiarity with the relevant literature. Mikel Burley clearly brings out the value of D. Z. Phillips' influential Wittgensteinian approach to the philosophy of religion without ever denying or ignoring its weaknesses. This is a sympathetic and reliable guide to an enormous and controversial body of work.'-Duncan Richter, Professor of Philosophy, Virginia Military Institute, USA, and author of Wittgenstein at His Word

'A well written book with a very clear understanding of Phillips' work. Burley criticizes Phillips' work while also explaining and appreciating the broad outlines of a Wittgensteinian approach to the study of religion. Students and scholars of religion will welcome this lucid and engaging assessment of the Swansea tradition of Wittgensteinianism. An excellent piece of writing.' -- Patrick Horn, Visiting Professor, Claremont McKenna College, USA, and author of Gadamer and Wittgenstein on the Unity of Language

Burley undertakes his task with energy and a pleasing style. He displays a thorough grasp of recent discussions concerning the impact both Wittgenstein and Phillips have had on philosophy of religion, and he engages well with those discussions.

Mikel Burley's book is highly insightful and should interest readers seeking to better understand the relevance of Wittgenstein and Phillips to philosophy of religion and some of the most important contemporary debates surrounding them.

Burley has done us a great service in helping us to read [Wittgenstein and Phillips] more carefully. I highly recommend this book.

Product Details

• Title: Contemplating Religious Forms of Life: Wittgenstein and D.Z. Phillips
• Author: Mikel Burley
• Publisher: Continuum
• Print Publication Date: 2012
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9781441192103, 9781441103253, 1441103252, 1441192107
• Resource ID: LLS:9781441192103
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-04-12T02:57:56Z

About the Author

Mikel Burley is Lecturer in Religion and Philosophy at the University of Leeds, UK. His previous publications include two books on Indian philosophy, and articles on, among other things, philosophy of religion, ethics, literature, and reincarnation.