Gordon Graham presents a radically innovative study of Wittgenstein's philosophy, in relation to the age-old impulse to connect ordinary human life with the transcendent reality of God. He offers an account of its relevance to the study of religion that is completely different to the standard version of 'Wittgensteinian philosophy of religion' expounded by both its adherents and critics. Graham goes on to revitalize the philosophy of 'true religion', an alternative, though not a rival, to the lively philosophical theology of Plantinga and Swinburne that currently dominates the subject. This alternative style of philosophy of religion has equally deep historical roots in the philosophical works of Spinoza, Hume, Schleiermacher, and Mill. At the same time, it is more easily connected to the psychological, sociological, and anthropological studies of William James, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, Mircea Eliade, and Mary Douglas. Graham uses Wittgenstein's conception of philosophy to argue in favour of the idea that 'true religion' is to be understood as human participation in divine life.

About the Author
Gordon Graham is Henry Luce III Professor of Philosophy and the Arts at Princeton Theological Seminary. He previously taught philosophy at the University of St Andrews and from 1995-2005 was Regius Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Aberdeen. He has published sixteen books as well as many articles and reviews, and is founding editor of the Journal of Scottish Philosophy. He has broadcast regularly with the BBC, and is as an Anglican priest has served as an associate at several Episcopal churches in Scotland and the United States

Reviews
This is a challenging and rewarding book for those interested in the history of the philosophy of religion, contemporary debates in philosophy of religion, and Wittgenstein. * Peg O'Connor, Journal of the History of Philosophy13/11/2015 *
Graham gives us a way to understand the purpose, originality, and value of Wittgenstein's contribution to the philosophy of religion relative to that older tradition rather than against the theistic metaphysics of our own time, and thus he helps revive the alluring concept of "true religion." That is truly a valuable accomplishment. * Christopher Hoyt, International Journal for Philosophy of Religion *
The second half of the book turns fully to an examination of religion, and his discussion here is excellent... there is a great deal to commend Graham's book. He provides a compelling picture of natural religion that is well worth following. * Mark Bernier, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews Online *
Grahams effort to uphold Christianitys distinctive intelligibility and point is passionate, deeply informed, and argumentative. This effort bears comparison with the greatest argumentative effort to establish via metaphysico-interpretive means the distinctive truth of Christianity: Hegelsin his Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion. * Richard Eldridge, The Journal of Mind and Behavior *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198713975
Author Gordon Graham
Format Hardback
Page Count 234
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 420g
Dimensions(mm) 222mm * 152mm * 21mm