Bernard Lonergan's Philosophy of Religion

Jim Kanaris

Description

Jim Kanaris provides a comprehensive understanding of esteemed theologian Bernard Lonergan's philosophy of religion and a crucial means of identifying precisely the points of contact between Lonergan's thoughts on God and religion and the issues presently discussed by philosophers of religion. Defining Lonergan's philosophy of religion presents a challenge because he does not use the term as it is generally understood. Rather, Lonergan addresses these issues under the guise of philosophy of God or natural theology, understands the role of religious experience idiosyncratically, and allows this concept to play various roles in his thought. The dynamics of these various components, their interrelationships, and their function from early to late development are fleshed out in this work.

Kanaris finds Lonergan's philosophy of religion developing at that period when he attributes a new importance to the influence of religious experience. What this means for Lonergan's controversial proof of God's existence, the role of Lonergan's concept of consciousness, and the specifically religious dimension of the notion of experience are explored, along with the emergence of what is technically philosophy of religion.
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Introduction

1. The Kehre of Philosophy of God, and Theology

Making Room for Religious Experience
Deliberately Bracketing Religious Experience

2. The Philosophical Aspect of the Concept of Experience

The Readers Experience in Insight
The General 'and Specific Notions of Experience in Insight
Self-Appropriating the General Structure of Experience

The Technical Aspect of Self-Appropriation and the Problem of the Relation of Concept to Experience; or, Lonergan, Kant, and Hegel
The Existential Aspect of Self-Appropriation

3. Religious Experience, Reflection, and Philosophy of God

Religious Experience in pre-Insight Literature

A Necessary Diversion: The Nature-Grace Distinction
The Ascendency of Love

Religious Experience in pre-Method Literature
Religious Experience: Emergence of the Expanded Viewpoint

4. From Philosophy of God to Philosophy of Religion

The Model of Religion: The Point of Departure
Lonergan's Philosophy of Religion

What Is It? What Does It Do?

Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Sujets

• Philosophie
• Philosophie de la religion
• Religion
• Christianisme
• Christianity
• Philosophy of religion
• Theology
• Catholic Church

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 01 février 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780791488140
• Langue: English

Extrait

Bernard Lonergan’s Philosophy of Religion

This page intentionally left blank.

Bernard Lonergan’s Philosophy of Religion

From Philosophy of God to Philosophy of Religious Studies

Jim Kanaris

State University of New York Press

Published by State University of New York Press, Albany

© 2002 State University of New York

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

For information, address State University of New York Press, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207

Production by Michael Haggett Marketing by Anne M. Valentine

Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data

Kanaris, Jim, 1964– Bernard Lonergan’s philosophy of religion : from philosophy of God to philosophy of religious studies / Jim Kanaris. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7914-5465-7 (alk. paper) — ISBN 0-7914-5466-5 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Lonergan, Bernard J. F. 2. Christianity—Philosophy. 3. Experience (Religion) I. Title.

BR100 .K3 2002 210'.92—dc21

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

2002002512

In loving memory of my parents Stergios Kanaris (1934–1995) and Maria Panagiotidis (1934 –1999)

This page intentionally left blank.

Contents

Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction 1 TheKehre ofPhilosophy of God, and Theology Making Room for Religious Experience Deliberately Bracketing Religious Experience 2 The Philosophical Aspect of the Concept of Experience The Reader’s Experience inInsight The General and Specific Notions of Experience inInsight Self-Appropriating the General Structure of Experience The Technical Aspect of Self-Appropriation and the Problem of the Relation of Concept to Experience; or, Lonergan, Kant, and Hegel The Existential Aspect of Self-Appropriation 3 Religious Experience, Reflection, and Philosophy of God Religious Experience in pre-InsightLiterature A Necessary Diversion: The Nature-Grace Distinction The Ascendency of Love Religious Experience in pre-MethodLiterature Religious Experience: Emergence of the Expanded Viewpoint 4 From Philosophy of God to Philosophy of Religion The Model of Religion: The Point of Departure Lonergan’s Philosophy of Religion What Is It? What Does It Do? Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index

vii

ix xi 1 9 10 17 23 24 29 38

40 57 61 61 69 72 80 89 101 102 118 123

147 151 179 193

This page intentionally left blank.

Acknowledgments

I am indebted to so many people who have contributed in one way or another to this book either in its development, its subject matter or in my personal or professional development. Just as one’s work is never one’s own, one’s person is never one’s own work. I must begin by thanking two colleagues in particular. Maurice Boutin of McGill University has been a great source of inspiration, contributing significantly to my philosophical formation. Never have I left discussions with him unenlightened by some valuable anecdote or detail of history, philosophy, or theology. He has been a Virgil to me, pointing the way through the often inhospitable and rough terrain of learning with remarkable insight: “chi m’avria tratto su per la montagna?”* Patrick Byrne of Boston College has also been a great support during this and other ventures. Whatever insight I may have into Lonergan is owed in no small measure to Dr. Byrne, whose knowledge of Lonergan is as incisive as it is formidable. For the times he has taken the time to engage me on my ideas, I am truly grateful. Also providing an invaluable service has been the team at the Lonergan Research Institute in Toronto, especially Robert Croken, Michael Shields, and Frederick Crowe. Making sure I promptly received whatever manuscripts and articles I requested and even offering their facilities for research one cold winter weekend in 1998 are only a few of their contributions that spring to mind. The assistance of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Coun- cil of Canada must be duly acknowledged here as well. Others who have not had a direct hand in this study but have neverthe- less contributed significantly to my personal and professional life include, most notably, Sean McEvenue, Eric Christianson, Joseph McLelland, Louis Roy, and Todd Blayone. The interest they have taken in the direction of my work has been a source of great encouragement. To Stephen Gaudet I owe a special word of thanks. His editorial skills came to my aid on countless

* “Who else but he could take me up the mount?” (Dante,The Divine Comedy, Volume II: Purgatory,trans. Mark Musa [London: Penguin Books, 1985], 29 [iii. 6]).

ix