The Myth of Religious Neutrality: An Essay on the Hidden Role of Religious Belief in Theories, Revised Edition [Paperback]

Roy A. Clouser (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 10, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0268023662 | ISBN-13: 978-0268023669 | Edition: Revised

Critical praise for the original edition: "[The Myth of Religious Neutrality] is very well written. It is clear and informative. There is excellent work on recognizing deficient theories in terms of logical inconsistency, self-referential incoherence, self-assumptive incoherence, and self-performative incoherence. [Clouser’s] case studies point out clearly the uproven presuppositions behind many so-called 'rationalist' theories about various aspects of reality." —Review of Metaphysics

"[S]ignificant and challenging. . . . Clouser’s book makes the case that all theorizing inevitably involves religious beliefs. Clouser’s analysis of religion is rich and insightful. . . . [He] articulates a fundamental theme that both modernist and post-modernist thinkers need to recognize: that intellectual activity is deeply and inescapably religious." —Calvin Theological Journal

"This book can be warmly commended. It treats important issues in a clear and energetic way and it is a genuine attempt to break some new ground in the philosophy of religion." —Religious Studies

Written for undergraduates, the educated layperson, and scholars in fields other than philosophy, The Myth of Religious Neutrality offers a radical reinterpretation of the general relations between religion, science, and philosophy. This new edition has been completely revised and updated by the author.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In clear, accessible language, Clouser discusses the nature and types of religion and religious belief, its relation to theories, and the various alternatives (e.g., irrationalism, rationalism, biblicism, and scholasticism). He then outlines various mathematical, physical, and psychological theories, critiques reductionism, and outlines biblical theories of reality, society, and state. The book is controversial not only for its central thesis and its analogy between the role of religious belief in human life and that of tectonic plates in the earth's geography, but also for its definition of religion as necessarily involving belief in God. Recommended for academic and seminary libraries.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Certainly philosophers will enjoy reading the revised edition . . . But I particularly recommend a serious consideration of the book to scientists." -- Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, Vol.58, no.1, March 2006

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Univ of Notre Dame Pr; Revised edition (June 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0268023662
• ISBN-13: 978-0268023669
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #888,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clouser's book is a challenge to college students, December 23, 1998

By 

Bruce Wearne <[e-mail] (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Myth of Religious Neutrality: An Essay on the Hidden Role of Religious Belief in Theories (Paperback)

Roy Clouser's Myth is indeed a clear exposition of the philosophical orientation of Herman Dooyeweerd. But potential readers will not only find an interesting connection with his Dutch calvinist background. The book is an original argument in its own terms. It is not simply a re-statement of an established position "applied" to a new (North American) context. Clouser is copncerned about common views of theory and theorising. He is also concerned with the theories which explain religious experience. To say that theoretical and scientific thinking implies religious world-views can get us into debate where all we end up with is dogma confronting dogma. Clouser painstakingly looks at the character of religious experience and theoretical thought. He shows by logical argument, and then by careful application in various scientific areas (mathematics, psychology, sociology among others) that theories are inherentlreligious. Those claiming to come clean with their religious presuppositions are not doing anything more than those who claim to be religiously neutral. Except they are facing up to the inner reality of their theorising as a religious activity. And this can make a whole world of difference to how scientific research and theoretical debate unfolds. Clouser makes a convincing case for reconsidering the entire scientific enterprise on these terms.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book available for an intro to Christian philosophy, February 16, 1998

By 

Jon Andreas ([e-mail]) (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Myth of Religious Neutrality: An Essay on the Hidden Role of Religious Belief in Theories (Paperback)

Although philosophers who happen to be Christians have been around for quite some time, their work has been largely accommodated to secular thought. The 20th C. Dutch philosopher H. Dooyeweerd originated a system of thought that proves to be the most well-rounded paradigm ever based on biblical principles. Although most of Dooyeweerd's writings are either inaccessible to the amateur philosopher or stuck in Dutch*, Clouser does an exceptional job of presenting Dooyeweerd's philosophy in a clear and understandable manner.

*A translation project was begun in 1994--published by The Edwin Mellen Press (Lewiston, NY)--and will continue, Deo volente, until all of Dooyeweerd's writings have been translated into English.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant exposition of assumptions behind all theories, December 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Myth of Religious Neutrality: An Essay on the Hidden Role of Religious Belief in Theories (Paperback)

Clouser's argument is that there are only three possible basic assumptions of what is "Ultimate"; and all theoretical thinking must ground itself in one or another of these metaphysical frameworks. If you start with his section on "case studies" of famous scientists and philosophers, he demonstrates his point so clearly that you'll be hooked into reading the whole book.