Abstract
Philosophical theories of religion grow out of the inheritance of the Enlightenment. In certain philosophers this inheritance shows itself in a commitment to the following combination of ideas: the unity of science, scepticism about the rationality of religious belief and the reality of the sacred. It thus provides the two chief sources for the radical theories of religion described in Chapter 2. If we concentrate on the role of philosophical scepticism, we may see how the philosophy of religion came to appear to some to be on a collision course with established faith.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 1993 Peter B. Clarke and Peter Byrne
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Clarke, P.B., Byrne, P. (1993). Philosophical Theories of Religion. In: Religion Defined and Explained. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230374249_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230374249_5
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-38986-5
Online ISBN: 978-0-230-37424-9
eBook Packages: Palgrave Religion & Philosophy CollectionPhilosophy and Religion (R0)