On Religion by John Caputo
John D. Caputo explores the very roots of religious thinking in this thought-provoking book. Compelling questions come up along the way: 'What do I love when I love my God?' and 'What can Star Wars tell us about the contemporary use of religion?' (are we always trying to find a way of saying 'God be with you'?) Why is religion for many a source of moral guidance in a postmodern, nihilistic age? Is it possible to have 'religion without religion'? Drawing on contemporary images of religion, such as Robert Duvall's film The Apostle, Caputo also provides some fascinating and imaginative insights into religious fundamentalism.
"Caputo redefines religion as love of the unforeseeableAnd, as that is a given in life, his definition of religiosity pretty much equates with my definition of joie de vivre. So the opposite of a religious person is not an atheist, merely a 'pusillanimous curmudgeon'. But it's not all just clever wordplay. With his unorthodox definitions in place, Caputo goes on to denounce dogma, put Marx, Nietzsche and Freud in their historical places and to reunite religion, mysticism and science. On top of all that, there's a detailed deconstruction of religion in Star Wars. I'm converted."
- Laurence Phelan, The Independent on Sunday
"Intellectual without being overly academic...one cheers his vigour and relishes his insights into the paradoxical, ambiguous nature of religion and religious belief. Recommended."
- Library Journal
"I feel obliged to warn readers that I loved this book. I loved its passion, loved its ideas, and loved the alternately sassy and incantatory rhythms of its prose ... get this book and read it."
- Sea of Faith
"...this volume is both a stimulating read and a useful introduction to a strand of thinking about religion inaugurated by Jacques Derrida and other post-modernist thinkers. Caputo's writing avoids the abstractions and complications beloved of academic philosophy in favor of a vernacular and often light-hearted writing style that nevertheless succeeds in conveying ideas of considerable depth and subtlety."
- Stan van Hooft, Sophie, 48:327-329
- Laurence Phelan, The Independent on Sunday
"Intellectual without being overly academic...one cheers his vigour and relishes his insights into the paradoxical, ambiguous nature of religion and religious belief. Recommended."
- Library Journal
"I feel obliged to warn readers that I loved this book. I loved its passion, loved its ideas, and loved the alternately sassy and incantatory rhythms of its prose ... get this book and read it."
- Sea of Faith
"...this volume is both a stimulating read and a useful introduction to a strand of thinking about religion inaugurated by Jacques Derrida and other post-modernist thinkers. Caputo's writing avoids the abstractions and complications beloved of academic philosophy in favor of a vernacular and often light-hearted writing style that nevertheless succeeds in conveying ideas of considerable depth and subtlety."
- Stan van Hooft, Sophie, 48:327-329
John D. Caputo is the Thomas J. Watson Professor of Religion and Humanities at Syracuse University. He is also David R. Cook Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Villanova University. He is author of More Radical Hermeneutics (IUP, 2000) and The Prayers and Tears of Jacques Derrida (IUP, 1997).
Michael J. Scanlon, O.S.A., is Josephine C. Connelly Chair of Christian Theology at Villanova University. He is co-editor with John Caputo of God, the Gift, and Postmodernism (IUP, 1999) and Questioning God (IUP, 2001).
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780415233330 |
| ISBN 10 | 041523333X |
| Title | On Religion |
| Author | John Caputo |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis Ltd |
| Year published | 2001-05-21 |
| Number of pages | 158 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |