"Kant's critique of the classical proofs for the existence of God may be more of an asset to theology than has often been recognized. For it permits theology to turn its attention from strong rational proofs, on the model of basic science, to a softer rationality that views transcendent knowledge as reliable though mutable. This broader view of reason may help theology reclaim its distinctive vision of knowledge of God that aims to form and transform believers whose trust in divine judgment and mercy is nurtured through scripture, creed and worship. The fragility of that trust reminds Christians of the need for prayer [among other things] to prepare properly for knowing God." (parenthetical comment, mine)
-----Ellen Charry, from "By The Renewing of Your Minds: The Pastoral Function of Christian Doctrine"
7 comments:
I agree that Kant's critique can be very useful for the Christian but what Ms. Charry refers to as "transcendent knowledge" seems to be something very different from Kant's transcendental knowledge, I think. I don't think Kant would say that his transcendental pursuit, or a pursuit for the necessary conditions of knowledge is "rationally softer." I'm not familiar with the context of this quote, but is she using "transcendent" in the same way that Kant used "transcendental?" Wasn't Kant very deliberate in trying to deliniate between a simple transcendence and the transcendental (what is necessary for knowledge)?
Yeah, I kind of doubt whether this is actually faithful (no pun intended) to Kant's actual ideas, but it's interesting none the less.
It's funny, I just today started reading Kant's Critique of Pure Reason! I think it was mainly my recent reading of Walker Percy (inspired in turn by a quote on this website some months ago) that inspired me to try to tackle Kant. I'm kind of obsessed with subjectivity.
Good luck with Kant! Whenever I discuss Kant I have to finish my sentences with question marks - one can never be too sure what Kant is getting at.
sorry guys. I've been in Buffalo all week and haven't had a second to check in on my blog.
Charry is actually talking about the failure of "pure reason"---and subsequently the failure of bullet proof/strictly rational proofs for the existence of God---driving us back to liturgy and prayer and tradition and fellowship. Here she's advocating something closer to what Martha Nussbaum advocates in epistemology. . . ie. that purely "hard" rationality isn't the last or only word and that we come to know the transcendent (here God) by way of a much "softer" process that includes all those things I mentioned above.
So she's not aiming to use Kant's own categories here, instead she's trying to show how Kant's destruction of those strictly rational arguments opens the door for a more well-rounded and humble approach to the infinite, as it's carried out by mutable/sinful creatures such as ourselves.
Micah, God bless you. I had to read the COPR as a sophmore in college for my Metaphysics class and I nearly jerked the wheel of my car into a bridge embankment. I'm not sure how the first philosophy class I ever took was metaphysics, but needless to say, I was entirely out of my depth with his conception of knowledge.
The semester that I did Kant (last of my senior year) was a tough year. I had 5 classes that semester - Kant, Early Derrida, Medieval Latin, Latin Prose Composition and Beginning Hebrew - I'd say I overextended myself a bit. Sometimes I think that as an undergrad I was able to get about a mile wide but only an inch deep.
Micah - Are you studying Kant as part of a study program or on your own?
Bil,
just on my own. I've been studying philosophy independently over the last three or four years. I guess I'm just a big geek that way! :-)
I am planning to apply to grad school for next year to get my doctorate and go into it full time, though.
Christopher,
Kant's first Critique was in your first metaphysics class?? Good night. Was it with Obitts? I didn't take him, but I heard about how hard he was. A classmate of mine got straight A's except for a single A-minus, which he got in Obitts philosophy class!
No, thankfully, I took the course with Jim Taylor, who also gave me an A-, though in his case he was being gracious rather than mean! =)
I did have a couple classes with Obitts and am very proud to say that I earned an A. However, Obitts was more about whether you understood Obitts than it was about whether or not you understood the subject. That's probably why your friend got the A-.
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