Flight of the Gods: Philosophical Perspectives on Negative Theology (Perspectives in Continental Philosophy, 11) [Hardcover]

Ilse Bulhof (Author), Laurens ten Kate (Author)

Book Description

Series: Perspectives in Continental Philosophy, 11 | Publication Date: January 1, 2000

Contemporary continental philosophy approaches metaphysics with great reservation. A point of criticism concerns traditional philosophical speaking about God. Whereas Nietzsche, with his question God is dead; who killed Him?was, in his time, highly 'unzeitgem�' and shocking, the twentieth century by contrast, saw Heidegger's concept of 'onto-theology' and its implied problematization of the God of the metaphysicians quickly become a famous term. In Heidegger's words, to a philosophical concept or 'being' we can neither pray, nor kneel. Heidegger did not, however, return to the God of Christian faith. He tried to initiate a new way of speaking about God-a way that reveals the limits of philosophical discourse. Derrida, Marion, Bataille, Adorno, Taubes and Bakhtin, each in their own way, continue this exploration begun by Nietzsche and Heidegger. This book takes a fresh look at these developments. The 'death of God' as the editors say in an introductory study, announces not so much the death of the 'old God'-the God of philosophers, theologians and believers-but rather the death of the god who put himself on His throne: autonomous human reason. In listening to the reactions to this dethronement of autonomous reason, the editors believe they hear the echoes of an experience of an embarrassment rooted partly in an old medieval tradition: negative theology. With the death of this 'new god', might a sensitivity reappear for transcendence? Here the editors want to offer a platform where contemporary philosophers of culture can again pose the question of speaking about God.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Dutch

About the Author

Ilse Bulhof and Laurens ten Kate are Professors of Philosophy at Catholic Theological University of Utrecht in the Netherlands. Laurens ten Kate is Associate Professor in the Philosophy of Religion, Religious Studies and Theology at the University of Humanistic Studies in Utrecht, the Netherlands. He is the co-editor of Flight of the Gods: Philosophical Perspectives Negative Theology (Fordham).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 444 pages
• Publisher: Fordham University Press; 1st edition (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823220346
• ISBN-13: 978-0823220342
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,413,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)