The Future of Reason, Science and Faith: Following Modernity and Post-ModernityFocusing on the history of ideas, this book explores important questions concerning knowledge in relation to philosophy, science, ethics and Christian faith. Kirk contributes to the current debate about the intellectual basis and integrity of Western culture, exploring controversial issues concerning the notions of modernity and post-modernity. Repositioning the Christian faith as a valid dialogue partner with contemporary secular movements in philosophy and ethics, Kirk seeks to show that in 'post-Christian' Europe the Christian faith still possesses intellectual resources worthy to be reckoned with. This book's principal argument is that contemporary Western society faces a cultural crisis. It explores what appears to be an historical enigma, namely the question of why Western intellectual endeavours in philosophy and science seem to have abandoned the search for a source of knowledge able to draw together disparate pieces of information provided by different disciplines. Kirk draws conclusions, particularly in the area of ethical decision-making, from this apparent failure and invites readers to consider Christian theism afresh as a means for the renewal of culture and society. |
Contents
An Enquiry into the Origins of Modern Science | |
Justification by Reason Alone? | |
Knowledge through Science Alone? | |
The Turn to Historicism | |
The Turn to Language | |
Between Arrival and Departure Part One | |
The Preconditions | |
The Conditions | |
the Story the Enigma the Solution | |
Glossary of Terms | |
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absolute accepted action Alasdair MacIntyre Andrew Kirk argued argument assumptions attempt basis best explanation chapter Christian claims coherent coherentism concept conclusion contemporary context Continental Philosophy criteria cultural Deism demonstrate Descartes discourse divine empirical empiricism epistemic epistemology ethical evidence evolutionary example existence experience experimental fact faith false foundationalism Francis Fukuyama Fukuyama fundamental God’s Heidegger historicism human hypothesis hypothetico-deductive method Ibid idea inductive inference intellectual interpretation intrinsic judgement justified kind knowledge language logical London matter meaning meta-narrative metaphysical method Michael Ruse modern project moral natural world naturalistic notion objective observation one’s Oxford particular person Philosophy of Science possible post-modern principles propositions question rational realism reality reason recognised relativism Religion religious scepticism scientific scientific method self-evident sense social society statement theism theistic theology theory thesis thinking thought tradition true belief truth understanding universe valid values virtue virtue ethics Western Wittgenstein words