Society and God
Culture and Creed from a Philosophical Standpoint
Format:Paperback
Publisher:James Clarke & Co Ltd
Published:30th Jul '20
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
Where should God be in thinking about society, or society in thinking about God? This book shows how philosophy can help non-philosophers with these questions. It shows that intelligence is the product, not the source, of society and language, and the rationality of individuals is inevitably conditioned by the distinctive customs and beliefs of their societies. Addressing the idea that religion can impede the smooth running of society, it argues that the Western concept of religion is taken from Christianity and cannot usefully be extended to non-European cultures. But any society will be threatened by a sub-society with customs conflicting with those of the whole in which it exists, and Jews, Christians and Muslims have sometimes formed such sub-societies. Charlton proceeds to consider how our dependence upon society fits with traditional beliefs about creation, salvation and life after death, and offers a synthesis that is new without being unorthodox. He indicates where Christian customs concerning birth, death, sex and education conflict with those of secular liberalism and considers which culture, Christian or secular liberal, has the better chance of prevailing in a globalised world.
1. "This wide-ranging book proposes a holistic framework for understanding the human condition. Arguing that we are essentially social beings, Charlton rejects the fashionable liberal individualism, secularism, and multiculturalism of our times, and offers a challenging interpretation and defence of the Christian doctrines of creation, incarnation, and salvation as part of a single continuous creative process." - John Cottingham, Professor of Philosophy of Religion, University of Roehampton 2. "William Charlton is never afraid to bring tough philosophical argument to bear on big questions, not least those of religion. He does this with a rare combination of creative independence and respect for traditional Christian faith, integrating his expertise inmetaphysics with that in politics and ethics. His masterly knowledge of the ancient world and his first-hand experience of living on a Polynesian island often enable him to observe our easy assumptions with fresh eyes." - Margaret Atkins, CRSA, In New Blackfriars, Volume 102, Issue 1098, March, 2021. 3. "Understanding the concepts of religion and of society, and the relationship between them, is as important today as it has ever been. Willie Charlton brings philosophical clarity and precision, as well as lightly-worn erudition, to bear on these difficult and contentious matters. His trenchant yet considered arguments are certain to encourage vigorous debate." - Alexander Bird, Peter Sowerby Professor of Philosophy and Medicine, King's College London
ISBN: 9780227176993
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 308g
195 pages