The Shaping of Rationality: Toward Interdisciplinarity in Theology and Science

Rating:
Summary: The New Shape of Rationality
Review: This latest book by J. Wentzel van Huyssteen provides an overview of the contemporary epistemological landscape as it shapes the dialogue between theology and science. More than an overview, however, this volume offers an exciting new model of rationality, which the author calls "postfoundationalism." Charting a course between the absolutism of modernist foundationalism and the relativism of some forms of postmodern anti-foundationalism, van Huyssteen refigures the ideals of truth and progress. Moving beyond the old dichotomy between faith and reason, he notes that both science and theology involve the fallible search for intelligibility.

The first chapter outlines the postmodern challenge to rationality -- many philosophers of science are now calling our attention to the local nature of even the natural sciences. This does not necessarily entail relativism, however, as van Huyssteen shows in the second chapter, which critically analyzes the proposals of "nonfoundational" theologians such as Lindbeck and Thiemann. The third chapter is the center of the book both literally and materially. Here the author outlines his "postfoundationalist" vision of thelogical rationality, which interprets the "postmodern" as a to-and-fro movement between the concerns of modernity and the critique of positive forms of postmodernity. The last two chapters are constructive proposals for theological interdisciplinary engagement. Chapter four explores the pervasive role of experience (which is always and already interpreted) in rationality, and chapter five examines the relation of theological rationality to "tradition." In both chapters, van Huyssteen affirms the postmodern recognition that experience and tradition shape our theological reasoning, but revisions the task of theology in a way that holds onto the public nature of its rational truth claims.

For anyone interested in the fascinating dialogue between theology and science, and the underlying philosophical and epistemological currents that shape interdisciplinarity, this book comes highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: The New Shape of Rationality
Review: This latest book by J. Wentzel van Huyssteen provides an overview of the contemporary epistemological landscape as it shapes the dialogue between theology and science. More than an overview, however, this volume offers an exciting new model of rationality, which the author calls "postfoundationalism." Charting a course between the absolutism of modernist foundationalism and the relativism of some forms of postmodern anti-foundationalism, van Huyssteen refigures the ideals of truth and progress. Moving beyond the old dichotomy between faith and reason, he notes that both science and theology involve the fallible search for intelligibility.

The first chapter outlines the postmodern challenge to rationality -- many philosophers of science are now calling our attention to the local nature of even the natural sciences. This does not necessarily entail relativism, however, as van Huyssteen shows in the second chapter, which critically analyzes the proposals of "nonfoundational" theologians such as Lindbeck and Thiemann. The third chapter is the center of the book both literally and materially. Here the author outlines his "postfoundationalist" vision of thelogical rationality, which interprets the "postmodern" as a to-and-fro movement between the concerns of modernity and the critique of positive forms of postmodernity. The last two chapters are constructive proposals for theological interdisciplinary engagement. Chapter four explores the pervasive role of experience (which is always and already interpreted) in rationality, and chapter five examines the relation of theological rationality to "tradition." In both chapters, van Huyssteen affirms the postmodern recognition that experience and tradition shape our theological reasoning, but revisions the task of theology in a way that holds onto the public nature of its rational truth claims.

For anyone interested in the fascinating dialogue between theology and science, and the underlying philosophical and epistemological currents that shape interdisciplinarity, this book comes highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: The Challenge of Rationality
Review: With much erudition J. Wentzel van Huyssteen takes up the postmodern challenge to rationality and argues that properly explicated it is the bridge over which theology and science can cross together. The book is much more than an apology for theology as a rational discipline. I wish it were not so but theology still needs this apology. Part of the reason is its reliance on various forms of foundationalism and fideism and as van Huyssteen appropriately understands, theology cannot function under this protective cover and still be a respected partner in the public arena concerning matters of importance. This book is a valid and persuasive argument that the road to interdisciplinary dialogue must pass through rationality, while splitting the difference between foundationalist objectivism and nonfoundationalist relativism; and this is the postmodern challenge that both science and theology must overcome.

Undoubtedly, science and theology share certain epistemic resources, such as appropriate evidence, giving good reasons, finding optimal understanding. Van Huyssteen is not as convincing when he begins to explore the degree of separation or distinction between science and theology. He acknowledges their use of different reasoning strategies, different methodological criteria, different governing interests, and different "objects of study." Try as he does to erect a rational bridge, the author underestimates the differences. One looks for but does not find a discussion of faith, revelation, and inspiration as epistemological prerequisites for theology but anathemas for science.

This discussion concerning rationality does not end with van Huyssteen's book, because the more fundamental challenge is how theology and science converse when their "objects of study" (ontology) are so very different, if not antithetical. Theology loses its integrity once God becomes something less than the Subject forever disrupting the foundations on which we stand. If there is to be a fitting together of epistemology and ontology, as I believe each discipline must do, then theology and science may be rivals as much as they are rational cousins.

Rating:
Summary: The Challenge of Rationality
Review: With much erudition J. Wentzel van Huyssteen takes up the postmodern challenge to rationality and argues that properly explicated it is the bridge over which theology and science can cross together. The book is much more than an apology for theology as a rational discipline. I wish it were not so but theology still needs this apology. Part of the reason is its reliance on various forms of foundationalism and fideism and as van Huyssteen appropriately understands, theology cannot function under this protective cover and still be a respected partner in the public arena concerning matters of importance. This book is a valid and persuasive argument that the road to interdisciplinary dialogue must pass through rationality, while splitting the difference between foundationalist objectivism and nonfoundationalist relativism; and this is the postmodern challenge that both science and theology must overcome.

Undoubtedly, science and theology share certain epistemic resources, such as appropriate evidence, giving good reasons, finding optimal understanding. Van Huyssteen is not as convincing when he begins to explore the degree of separation or distinction between science and theology. He acknowledges their use of different reasoning strategies, different methodological criteria, different governing interests, and different "objects of study." Try as he does to erect a rational bridge, the author underestimates the differences. One looks for but does not find a discussion of faith, revelation, and inspiration as epistemological prerequisites for theology but anathemas for science.

This discussion concerning rationality does not end with van Huyssteen's book, because the more fundamental challenge is how theology and science converse when their "objects of study" (ontology) are so very different, if not antithetical. Theology loses its integrity once God becomes something less than the Subject forever disrupting the foundations on which we stand. If there is to be a fitting together of epistemology and ontology, as I believe each discipline must do, then theology and science may be rivals as much as they are rational cousins.