Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Transcendence (The Nature of Transcendence)
Período documentado: 2019-10-01 hasta 2021-09-30
Transcendence is central to theology and philosophy. For centuries its investigation was a subject of speculative reflections. Today, it has become the subjects of scientific empirical research with results that challenge traditional understanding. Because of its fundamental role in philosophy and theology, it is urgent to ask whether it is affected by scientific investigation. A scientific discipline which can contribute to this question is the Cognitive Science of Religion (CSR). CSR’s models have the potential to modify our understanding of transcendence. This project contributes to connecting science and humanities. This is important because the scientific perspective is only one of many perspectives to understand reality. Science can analyse data but not interpret traditions and ideas in new contexts. However, imagination and creativity are fundamental to being human, to the shared lives in a community, and therefore the well-being of society. The combination of the scientific perspective and other ways to understand reality, such as theology and philosophy, can enable a comprehensive understanding.
The project employs an experimental and innovative approach: It does not reject CSR on the basis of its transgressions but aims to take seriously its legitimate results and to answer the resulting questions. It will consider the chances of CSR for an enhanced theological understanding. And it will connect CSR's challenges with traditional models in order to find new perspectives and answers.
The project employs an experimental and innovative approach: It does not reject CSR on the basis of its transgressions but aims to take seriously its legitimate results and to answer the resulting questions. It will consider the chances of CSR for an enhanced theological understanding. And it will connect CSR's challenges with traditional models in order to find new perspectives and answers.
The project investigated different concepts of transcendence from early Greek philosophy and medieval theology to modern theology. On this background, it studied the term 'supernatural' in CSR and related it with the concept of transcendence. It then researched the relation between reason, faith, and mysticism in the Armenian medieval theologian and polymath Gregory of Tatev, who combined a rational approach and analysis with the mystical tradition of Dionysius the Areopagite.
The project then looked for a way to relate CSR and theology. Since the theological concept of transcendence and CSR's understanding of 'supernatural' had already been related in the first phase of the project, the project assessed the possibility to link CSR with the traditional doctrine of an 'innate' knowledge of God. Both tried to reflect a common observation, i.e. the fact that religion can be found everywhere. The project explored the doctrine of the 'innate' knowledge in primary sources from ancient philosophy, medieval theology, the theologians of the Reformation, Lutheran dogmatic, early Modern philosophy, and finally its decline in modern times with its eventual rejection in modern theology. In CSR, the project investigated the view of religious beliefs as 'counterintuitive', their cognitive origins, and the question as to whether such beliefs are 'innate', along with the concept of 'innateneness' in science.
The last phase of the project was dedicated to a study of the different languages in CSR and theology. Only few scholars of CSR describe the difference between 'commonsense understanding’ and religious ideas. This offered some vital aspects which can be used to rebut the often literal understanding of religious beliefs and theological concepts in CSR.
Overview of the results and exploitation:
1) The study of the Armenian theologian Gregory of Tatev and the way in which he relates rational consideration of Christian beliefs and mysticism led to the article 'On Knowing and Unknowing God: Reason and Mysticism in the Armenian Theologian Gregory of Tatev'. This article was accepted for publication. Aspects of this research were presented in the Armenian Studies Seminar at Oxford University.
2) This investigation yielded additional material some of which I was able to turn into another article. This article uncovers the meaning of the expression 'sober theology' with which interpreters and translators struggle because the meaning is far from obvious. Relating it to Gregory's largely unknown sources it can be interpreted as 'philosophically engaged theology'. This article is currently under review.
3) The connection of CSR with the classical doctrine of the 'innate' knowledge of God provided scientific evidence against the modern rejection of this doctrine. There are considerable convergences, which can explain the emergence and stability of such an 'innate' or 'natural' belief, even in modern secular times. It also points to significant tensions between the intuitive belief of CSR and Christian faith. The study of the traditional doctrine, however, shows that these divergences had been reflected for a long time in theology. The perspective of CSR can help specify and understand the persisting tension between people's intuitive beliefs and official Christian doctrine. The results of this research were turned into the article 'Implanted in us by nature: The Doctrine of the Natural Knowledge of God and Modern Science'. This article needs some revision and will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal as soon as possible. The research was presented twice: At a Symposium and in a seminar for Diploma students.
4) The last part of the project was put down in the article 'Words beyond words: Transcendence, CSR, and the problem of religious language'. It has to be prepared for publication and will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal as soon as possible.
The project then looked for a way to relate CSR and theology. Since the theological concept of transcendence and CSR's understanding of 'supernatural' had already been related in the first phase of the project, the project assessed the possibility to link CSR with the traditional doctrine of an 'innate' knowledge of God. Both tried to reflect a common observation, i.e. the fact that religion can be found everywhere. The project explored the doctrine of the 'innate' knowledge in primary sources from ancient philosophy, medieval theology, the theologians of the Reformation, Lutheran dogmatic, early Modern philosophy, and finally its decline in modern times with its eventual rejection in modern theology. In CSR, the project investigated the view of religious beliefs as 'counterintuitive', their cognitive origins, and the question as to whether such beliefs are 'innate', along with the concept of 'innateneness' in science.
The last phase of the project was dedicated to a study of the different languages in CSR and theology. Only few scholars of CSR describe the difference between 'commonsense understanding’ and religious ideas. This offered some vital aspects which can be used to rebut the often literal understanding of religious beliefs and theological concepts in CSR.
Overview of the results and exploitation:
1) The study of the Armenian theologian Gregory of Tatev and the way in which he relates rational consideration of Christian beliefs and mysticism led to the article 'On Knowing and Unknowing God: Reason and Mysticism in the Armenian Theologian Gregory of Tatev'. This article was accepted for publication. Aspects of this research were presented in the Armenian Studies Seminar at Oxford University.
2) This investigation yielded additional material some of which I was able to turn into another article. This article uncovers the meaning of the expression 'sober theology' with which interpreters and translators struggle because the meaning is far from obvious. Relating it to Gregory's largely unknown sources it can be interpreted as 'philosophically engaged theology'. This article is currently under review.
3) The connection of CSR with the classical doctrine of the 'innate' knowledge of God provided scientific evidence against the modern rejection of this doctrine. There are considerable convergences, which can explain the emergence and stability of such an 'innate' or 'natural' belief, even in modern secular times. It also points to significant tensions between the intuitive belief of CSR and Christian faith. The study of the traditional doctrine, however, shows that these divergences had been reflected for a long time in theology. The perspective of CSR can help specify and understand the persisting tension between people's intuitive beliefs and official Christian doctrine. The results of this research were turned into the article 'Implanted in us by nature: The Doctrine of the Natural Knowledge of God and Modern Science'. This article needs some revision and will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal as soon as possible. The research was presented twice: At a Symposium and in a seminar for Diploma students.
4) The last part of the project was put down in the article 'Words beyond words: Transcendence, CSR, and the problem of religious language'. It has to be prepared for publication and will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal as soon as possible.
The project contributed to a new evaluation of CSR in theology. It deviated from the usual opposition between the two disciplines and integrated CSR's theories by relating them with the traditional doctrine of the 'innate' or 'implanted' knowledge of God. This doctrine is usually treated as part of the so-called 'natural theology', however most approaches mention it only shortly to progress to the knowledge of God which is acquired by theoretical or philosophical reasoning. The project not only raises new awareness of the usually forgotten doctrine but also provides new support against its modern rejection from a scientific perspective. It can offer a scientific investigation of religious beliefs which originate 'naturally' in humans. Theology can learn from this and understand how people 'naturally' imagine divine agents, in what way these natural religious beliefs converge with Christian faith and stabilise it, and in what ways they contradict each other.
Western society is permeated by a firm belief in natural science which has largely replaced Christian faith. CSR shows that intuitive beliefs about our reality include certain 'supernatural agents' and that those beliefs are unlikely to vanish. This may lead to dangerous developments within societies. Subconscious beliefs may be directed to certain individuals who present themselves as a strong and powerful leaders. The gap between the decline of official religion and the subconscious religious intuitions contains the risk of being abused in the interest of such individuals. Or if these individuals connect with established religious institutions they can expand their power by claiming to fulfil the divine will. The intuitive beliefs lend a lot of credibility to such claims. Against such developments, it is vital that theology finds ways to integrate science and enhance its understanding by listening to sound scientific theories.
The project, its research, and its results will be the basis for future public engagements and further research well beyond its official conclusion.
Western society is permeated by a firm belief in natural science which has largely replaced Christian faith. CSR shows that intuitive beliefs about our reality include certain 'supernatural agents' and that those beliefs are unlikely to vanish. This may lead to dangerous developments within societies. Subconscious beliefs may be directed to certain individuals who present themselves as a strong and powerful leaders. The gap between the decline of official religion and the subconscious religious intuitions contains the risk of being abused in the interest of such individuals. Or if these individuals connect with established religious institutions they can expand their power by claiming to fulfil the divine will. The intuitive beliefs lend a lot of credibility to such claims. Against such developments, it is vital that theology finds ways to integrate science and enhance its understanding by listening to sound scientific theories.
The project, its research, and its results will be the basis for future public engagements and further research well beyond its official conclusion.