Diversifying Philosophy of Religion: Critiques, Methods and Case Studies

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Much philosophical thinking about religion in the Anglophone world has been hampered by the constraints of Eurocentrism, colonialism and orientalism. Addressing such limitations head-on, this exciting collection develops models for exploring global diversity in order to bring philosophical studies of religion into the globalized 21st century. Drawing on a wide range of critical theories and methodologies, and incorporating ethnographic, feminist, computational, New Animist and cognitive science approaches, an international team of contributors outline the methods and aims of global philosophy of religion. From considering the importance of orality in African worldviews to interacting with Native American perspectives on the cosmos and investigating contemplative studies in Hinduism, each chapter demonstrates how expertise in different methods can be applied to various geographical regions, building constructive options for philosophical reflections on religion. Diversifying Philosophy of Religion raises important questions regarding who speaks for and represents religious traditions, setting the agenda for a truly inclusive philosophy of religion that facilitates multiple standpoints.

Reviews

Philosophy of religion needs to be diversified, but it is not clear exactly how it should be diversified. Loewen and Rostalska address this important question with leading contributors from a variety of religious and intellectual traditions. This is a must read for any philosopher of religion in the twenty-first century. * Yujin Nagasawa, H. G. Wood Professor of the Philosophy of Religion, University of Birmingham, UK *
Philosophy of religion is sliding into obsolescence. By constructing philosophy and religion from genetically Christian norms, philosophers have failed to be relevant to the non-Christian world. This volume offers a lifeline by using concrete case studies to reimagine a truly global philosophy of religion. I hope we grab on. * J. R. Hustwit, Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Methodist University, USA *

Author Bio

Nathan R. B. Loewen is Associate Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Alabama, USA. Agnieszka Rostalska is FWO Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Languages and Cultures at Ghent University, Belgium.