Critique of Religion and Philosophy

Kaufmann, best known as a Nietzsche translator, here offers up an insightful and very personal book. The title is slightly misleading, being mainly a critique of attempts to make religion philosophical, namely theology, to the detriment of both faith and reason. While this is certainly a

substantive book, even now 50 years after publication, it is also an artfully argued book. Those with a shallow understanding of Nietzsche and an associated bias against Kaufmann might expect this book to be a simple anti-scripture manifesto; in fact, he spends a not insignificant time revealing how theologians have led believers away from the essential truths (and he has much to say on "truth") of the scriptures. Kaufmann's points are quite penetrating, and it speaks well of his depth of understanding that he can manage to make his points clear without an over-reliance on philosophical jargon. The first part of the book does put theology in a broader philosophical context before the specific theological attitudes are considered. Christianity (in particular the "leave it to Beaver" liberal Protestant variety so prevalent at the time of writing,) Judaism, and Buddhism are subjected to the most attention, since a depth of exploration by necessity means a narrowing of breadth. Kaufmann's irreverent dialogues between Satan and various proponents of these three faiths cut to the quick, and no doubt many adherents unused to questioning may find these passages uncomfortable and offensive, but the points he draws are carefully drawn from the traditions and texts and not simply asserted in the secular mode of Dawkins and the like.

A passage near the end of the book sums it up nicely. "Reason can be used to weave beliefs into a hair shirt which is euphemistically called theology. Reason can also be used to dissociate beliefs from the tangled experiences out of which they have been woven and to adduce ingenious arguments for beliefs foisted on us in the nursery or come by later; and with some luck this may pass as philosophy. But theology is not religion, and philosophy need not be, although much of it has been, rationalization...But if we are made to choose between reason and religion, the choice is between criticism and idolatry. Whatever in religion cannot stand up to criticism is not worth having--and that is worth a great deal, but it does not mean everything. Among the things that remain is the aspiration which is the soul of religion."

A fascinating read...couldn't recommend it more.

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