Brian R. Clack Livres

Exploring Wittgenstein's critique of intellectualist theories of religion, the book delves into his analysis of Frazer's work, particularly the concept of ritual. It challenges the notion that Wittgenstein's perspective is purely expressivist, proposing instead that he likens magic to metaphysics. Key themes include expressivism, 'perspicuous representation', and the complexities of human sacrifice, alongside an examination of Wittgenstein's cultural pessimism, providing a nuanced interpretation of his philosophical stance on religion.

There is no general introduction to Wittgenstein's philosophy of religion. Brian Clack provides a much-needed primer in Wittgenstein's thought as it relates to religious belief. This text provides a guide to the essentials of Wittgenstein's philosophy, particularly in the philosophy of religion. Students are introduced to the early and later work, and the different accounts of language and meaning they offer. The book will provide an overview of Wittgenstein's writings on religion, and an assessment of his influence in contemporary debates.

In this genuinely interdisciplinary work, Clack breaks new ground by using detailed explorations of the phenomena of drug-use, romantic love and the enjoyment of art in order to throw light on the meaning and nature of religion. This book will be vital reading for anyone concerned with the fundamental questions of religious belief.

For over twenty years, Beverley Clack and Brian R. Clack's distinctive and thought-provoking introduction to the philosophy of religion has been of enormous value to students and scholars, providing an approach to the subject that is bold and refreshingly alternative. This revised and updated edition retains the accessibility which makes the book popular, while furthering its distinctive argument regarding the human dimension of religion. The central emphasis of the philosophy of religion – the concept of God, and the arguments for and against God's existence – is reflected in thorough analyses, while alternative approaches to traditional philosophical theism are explored. The treatments of both the miraculous and immortality have been revised and expanded, and the concluding chapter updates the investigation of how philosophy of religion might be conducted in an age defined by religious terrorism. Clear, systematic and highly critical, the third edition of The Philosophy of Religion will continue to be essential reading for students and scholars of this fascinating and important subject.