Rethinking Philosophy of Religion with Wittgenstein - (Expanding Philosophy of Religion) by Thomas D Carroll (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Can Wittgenstein's philosophy help us to see religious diversities? Thomas D. Carrolluses Wittgenstein's thoughts on religion and language to bring a cross-cultural perspective to philosophy of religion.

Through a focus on Chinese philosophical and religious traditions and the intertwining of racism and religion in the United States, Carroll highlights two related features of Wittgenstein's philosophy: the relevance of contextual backgrounds to interpreting ways of life and the importance of reflecting on existential purposes in philosophical inquiry.

Committed to the essential task of expanding philosophy of religion, Carroll critically studies the term "religion" and goes beyond the traditional categories of belief to consider diverse religious phenomena such as rituals, practices, institutions, forms of belonging, and pragmatic forms of religious engagement. We see the value of paying close attention to social contexts and refusing to oversimplify interpretation of philosophical arguments.

By demonstrating how Wittgenstein's ideas can enrich our understanding of the complex phenomenon of religion and the place it has in our lives, this inclusive and timely study asks us to rethink how we approach philosophy of religion.

Review Quotes

Rethinking Philosophy of Religion with Wittgensteinmakes a strikingly original contribution not only to a 'globally engaged' philosophy of religion and to Wittgenstein studies, but also to the broader fields of the study of religions and comparative philosophy. Exhibiting a deep and nuanced understanding of Wittgenstein's methods, Carroll deftly brings them into productive and critical dialogue with issues concerning the concept of religion, the intersection between religion and racism, and Chinese religious and philosophical traditions. The work thus has both cross-cultural and interdisciplinary scope.
Mikel Burley, University of Leeds, UK

Thomas Carroll's magnificent new book takes us on a journey through ever-changing landscapes of diverse religiosities. His studies of religiosity in China and of the relationships between racism and religion in the United States undermine dogmatic tendencies in philosophy of religion and offer us greater understanding of issues of great contemporary relevance.
Robert Vinten, Lisbon Universidade Nova, Portugal

About the Author

Thomas D. Carroll is Associate Professor in Philosophy at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China.