Paul Tilich: Two Types of Philosophy of Religion_

8/18/2019 Paul Tilich: Two Types of Philosophy of Religion_

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THE TWO TYPES OF PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

by

PAUL TILLICH

(Source: Paul Tillich Theology of Culture, O!U!P! "##$ %%! "&'#!)

O*e ca* +i,-i*.ui,h -/o /ay, o0 a%%roachi*. Go+: -he /ay o0 o1erco2i*.e,-ra*.e2e*- a*+ -he /ay o0 2ee-i*. a ,-ra*.er! I* -he 0ir,- /ay 2a* +i,co1er,himself /he* he +i,co1er, Go+3 he +i,co1er, ,o2e-hi*. -ha- i, i+e*-ical /i-hhi2,el0 al-hou.h i- -ra*,ce*+, hi2 i*0i*i-ely ,o2e-hi*. 0ro2 /hich he i,e,-ra*.e+ bu- 0ro2 /hich he *e1er ha, bee* a*+ *e1er ca* be ,e%ara-e+! I* -he,eco*+ /ay 2a* 2ee-, a stranger /he* he 2ee-, Go+! The 2ee-i*. i,acci+e*-al! E,,e*-ially -hey +o *o- belo*. -o each o-her! They 2ay beco2e

0rie*+, o* a -e*-a-i1e a*+ co*4ec-ural ba,i,! 5u- -here i, *o cer-ai*-y abou- -he,-ra*.er 2a* ha, 2e-! He 2ay +i,a%%ear a*+ o*ly probable ,-a-e2e*-, ca* be2a+e abou- hi, *a-ure!

The -/o /ay, ,y2boli6e -he -/o %o,,ible -y%e, o0 %hilo,o%hy o0 reli.io*: -heo*-olo.ical -y%e a*+ -he co,2olo.ical -y%e! The /ay o0 o1erco2i*.e,-ra*.e2e*- ,y2boli6e, -he o*-olo.ical 2e-ho+ i* -he %hilo,o%hy o0 reli.io*!The /ay o0 2ee-i*. a ,-ra*.er ,y2boli6e, -he co,2olo.ical 2e-ho+! I- i, -he%ur%o,e o0 -hi, e,,ay -o ,ho/: (") -ha- -he o*-olo.ical 2e-ho+ i, ba,ic 0or e1ery%hilo,o%hy o0 reli.io* () -ha- -he co,2olo.ical 2e-ho+ /i-hou- -he o*-olo.ical

a, i-, ba,i, lea+, -o a +e,-ruc-i1e clea1a.e be-/ee* %hilo,o%hy a*+ reli.io* a*+(7) -ha- o* -he ba,i, o0 -he o*-olo.ical a%%roach a*+ /i-h a +e%e*+e*- u,e o0 -heco,2olo.ical /ay %hilo,o%hy o0 reli.io* co*-ribu-e, -o -he reco*cilia-io*

be-/ee* reli.io* a*+ ,ecular cul-ure! The,e -hree %oi*-, ,hall be +i,cu,,e+ o*-he ba,i, o0 e8-e*,i1e re0ere*ce, -o -he cla,,ic e8%re,,io*, o0 -he -/o -y%e, o0%hilo,o%hy o0 reli.io* i* -he "7-h ce*-ury!

I! The Worl+ Hi,-orical Proble2

I* -/o +e1elo%2e*-, We,-er* hu2a*i-y ha, o1erco2e i-, a.e'ol+ bo*+a.eu*+er -he 9%o/er,9: -ho,e hal0 reli.iou,'hal0 2a.ical hal0 +i1i*e'hal0 +e2o*ichal0 ,u%erhu2a*'hal0 ,ubhu2a* hal0 ab,-rac-'hal0 co*cre-e bei*., /ho are -he.e*ui*e 2a-erial o0 -he 2y-ho,! The,e 9%o/er,9 /ere co*uere+ religiously by-heir ,ub4ec-io* -o o*e o0 -he2 -he .o+ o0 -he %ro%he-, o0 I,rael3 hi, uali-y a,-he .o+ o0 4u,-ice e*able+ hi2 -o beco2e -he u*i1er,al Go+! The 9%o/er,9 /ereco*uere+ philosophically by -heir ,ub4ec-io* -o a %ri*ci%le 2ore real -ha* all o0-he23 i-, uali-y a, e2braci*. all uali-ie, e*able+ i- -o beco2e -he u*i1er,al


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%ri*ci%le! I* -hi, %roce,, -he 9%o/er,9 lo,- -heir ,acre+ charac-er a*+ /i-h i--heir hol+ o* -he hu2a* co*,ciou,*e,,! All holi*e,, /a, -ra*,0erre+ -o -heab,olu-e Go+ or -o -he ab,olu-e %ri*ci%le! The .o+, +i,a%%eare+ a*+ beca2e,er1a*-, o0 -he ab,olu-e Go+ or a%%eara*ce, o0 -he ab,olu-e %ri*ci%le! 5u- -he9%o/er,9 al-hou.h ,ub4ec-e+ a*+ -ra*,0or2e+ /ere *o- e8-i*.ui,he+! Theycoul+ a*+ ca* re-ur* a*+ e,-abli,h a rei.* o0 ,u%er,-i-io* a*+ 0ear3 a*+ e1e* -heab,olu-e Go+ ca* beco2e one %o/er be,i+e o-her, %erha%, -he hi.he,- bu- *o--he ab,olu-e! I- i, o*e o0 -he -a,;, o0 -he %hilo,o%hy o0 reli.io* -o %ro-ec- reli.io*a, /ell a, -he ,cie*-i0ic i*-er%re-a-io* o0 reali-y a.ai*,- -he re-ur* o0 -he9%o/er,9 /ho -hrea-e* bo-h a- -he ,a2e -i2e!

The %roble2 crea-e+ by -he ,ub4ec-io* o0 -he 9%o/er,9 -o -he ab,olu-e Go+a*+ -o -he ab,olu-e %ri*ci%le i, "the problem of the two Absolutes." Ho/ are-hey rela-e+ -o each o-her< The reli.iou, a*+ -he %hilo,o%hical Ab,olu-e, Deus=Go+> a*+ esse =bei*.> ca**o- be u*co**ec-e+? Wha- i, -heir co**ec-io* 0ro2

-he %oi*- o0 1ie/ o0 bei*. a, /ell a, o0 ;*o/i*.< I* -he ,i2%le ,-a-e2e*- 9Go+is9 -he co**ec-io* i, achie1e+3 bu- -he charac-er o0 -hi, co**ec-io* i, the%roble2 i* all %roble2, o0 -he %hilo,o%hy o0 reli.io*! The +i00ere*- a*,/er,.i1e* -o -hi, ue,-io* are 2ile,-o*e, o* -he roa+ o0 We,-er* reli.iou,co*,ciou,*e,,3 a*+ -hi, roa+ i, a roa+ -o/ar+, e1er'i*crea,i*. loss o0 reli.iou,co*,ciou,*e,,! Philo,o%hy o0 reli.io* al-hou.h *o- %ri2arily re,%o*,ible 0or-hi, +e1elo%2e*- 2u,- a,; i-,el0 /he-her accor+i*. -o i-, %ri*ci%le, -hi, /a, a*u*a1oi+able +e1elo%2e*- a*+ /he-her a re1er,al i, %o,,ible!

II! The Au.u,-i*ia* Solu-io*

Au.u,-i*e a0-er he ha+ e8%erie*ce+ all -he i2%lica-io*, o0 a*cie*-,ce%-ici,2 .a1e a cla,,ical a*,/er -o -he %roble2 o0 -he -/o Ab,olu-e,: Theycoi*ci+e i* -he *a-ure o0 -ru-h! Veritas =Tru-h> i, %re,u%%o,e+ i* e1ery%hilo,o%hical ar.u2e*-3 a*+ veritas i, Go+! You ca**o- +e*y -ru-h a, ,uch

becau,e you coul+ +o i- o*ly i* -he *a2e o0 -ru-h -hu, e,-abli,hi*. -ru-h! A*+ i0 you e,-abli,h -ru-h you a00ir2 Go+! 9Where I ha1e 0ou*+ -he -ru-h -here I ha1e0ou*+ 2y Go+ -he -ru-h i-,el09 Au.u,-i*e ,ay,! The ue,-io* o0 -he -/oUl-i2a-e, i, ,ol1e+ i* ,uch a /ay -ha- -he reli.iou, Ul-i2a-e i, %re,u%%o,e+ i*

e1ery %hilo,o%hical ue,-io* i*clu+i*. -he ue,-io* o0 Go+! God is the presupposition of the uestion of God! Thi, i, -he o*-olo.ical ,olu-io* o0 -he%roble2 o0 -he %hilo,o%hy o0 reli.io*! Go+ ca* *e1er be reache+ i0 he i, -heobect o0 a ue,-io* a*+ *o- i-, basis.

The Fra*ci,ca* ,chool o0 "7-h'ce*-ury ,chola,-ici,2 re%re,e*-e+ by Ale8a*+er o0 Hale, 5o*a1e*-ura a*+ @a--he/ o0 Aua,%ar-a +e1elo%e+ -he


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Au.u,-i*ia* ,olu-io* i*-o a +oc-ri*e o0 -he %ri*ci%le, o0 -heolo.y a*+2ai*-ai*e+ i* ,%i-e o0 ,o2e Ari,-o-elia* i*0lue*ce, -he o*-olo.ical -y%e o0 -he%hilo,o%hy o0 reli.io*! Their /hole e2%ha,i, /a, o* -he i22e+iacy o0 -he;*o/le+.e o0 Go+! Accor+i*. -o 5o*a1e*-ura 9Go+ i, 2o,- -ruly %re,e*- -o -he

1ery ,oul a*+ i22e+ia-ely ;*o/able93 He i, ;*o/able i* Hi2,el0 /i-hou- 2e+iaa, -he o*e /hich i, co22o* -o all! For He i, -he %ri*ci%le o0 ;*o/le+.e -he 0ir,--ru-h i* -he li.h- o0 /hich e1ery-hi*. el,e i, ;*o/* a, @a--he/ ,ay,! A, ,uchHe i, -he i+e*-i-y o0 ,ub4ec- a*+ ob4ec-! He i, *o- ,ub4ec-e+ -o +oub- /hich i,%o,,ible o*ly i0 ,ub4ec-i1i-y a*+ ob4ec-i1i-y are ,e%ara-e+! P,ycholo.ically o0cour,e +oub- i, %o,,ible3 bu- lo.ically -he Ab,olu-e i, a00ir2e+ by -he 1ery ac- o0+oub- becau,e i- i, i2%lie+ i* e1ery ,-a-e2e*- abou- -he rela-io* be-/ee*,ub4ec- a*+ %re+ica-e! #cce tibi est ipsa veritas. Amplectere illam! =Thi*e i,-ru-h i-,el03 e2brace i-!> The,e ul-i2a-e %ri*ci%le, a*+ ;*o/le+.e o0 -he2 arei*+e%e*+e*- o0 -he cha*.e, a*+ rela-i1i-ie, o0 -he i*+i1i+ual 2i*+3 -hey are -heu*cha*.eable e-er*al li.h- a%%eari*. i* -he lo.ical a*+ 2a-he2a-ical a8io2,

a, /ell a, i* -he 0ir,- ca-e.orie, o0 -hou.h-! The,e %ri*ci%le, are *o- crea-e+0u*c-io*, o0 our 2i*+ bu- -he %re,e*ce o0 -ru-h i-,el0 a*+ -here0ore o0 Go+ i*our 2i*+! The Tho2i,-ic 2e-ho+ o0 ;*o/le+.e -hrou.h ,e*,e %erce%-io* a*+ab,-rac-io* 2ay be u,e0ul 0or ,cie*-i0ic %ur%o,e, bu- i- *e1er ca* reach -he

Ab,olu-e! A*-ici%a-i*. -he co*,eue*- +e1elo%2e*- @a--he/ ,ay, abou- -he Ari,-o-elia*'Tho2i,-ic a%%roach: 9For e1e* i0 -hi, 2e-ho+ buil+, -he /ay o0,cie*ce i- u--erly +e,-roy, -he /ay o0 /i,+o2!9 Wi,+o2 sapientia, i, -he;*o/le+.e o0 -he %ri*ci%le, o0 -ru-h i-,el0! A*+ -hi, ;*o/le+.e i, ei-heri22e+ia-e or i- i, *o*'e8i,-e*-! I- i, +i,-i*.ui,he+ 0ro2 humana rationatio,hu2a* rea,o*i*. a, /ell a, 0ro2 scripturarum autoritas, -he au-hori-y o0 -he

Holy Scri%-ure! I- i, certitudo e$ se ipsis, cer-ai*-y ou- o0 -he -hi*., -he2,el1e, /i-hou- a 2e+iu2! Percei1i*. a*+ acce%-i*. -he e-er*al -ru-h are i+e*-ical a, Ale8a*+er o0 Hale, ,-a-e,!

The -ru-h /hich i, %re,u%%o,e+ i* e1ery ue,-io* a*+ i* e1ery +oub-%rece+e, -he clea1a.e i*-o ,ub4ec- a*+ ob4ec-! Nei-her o0 -he2 i, a* ul-i2a-e%o/er! 5u- -hey %ar-ici%a-e i* -he ul-i2a-e %o/er abo1e -he2 i* 5ei*. i-,el0 i*

primum esse. 95ei*. i, /ha- 0ir,- a%%ear, i* -he i*-ellec-9 =%uod primum caditin intellectu>! A*+ -hi, 5ei*. (/hich i, *o- a bei*.) i, %ure ac-uali-y a*+

-here0ore +i1i*e! We al/ay, ,ee i- bu- /e +o *o- al/ay, *o-ice i-3 a, /e ,eee1ery-hi*. i* -he li.h- /i-hou- al/ay, *o-ici*. -he li.h- a, ,uch!

Accor+i*. -o Au.u,-i*e a*+ hi, 0ollo/er, -he verum ipsum =-he Tru-h> i,al,o -he bonum ipsum =-he Goo+> becau,e *o-hi*. /hich i, le,, -ha* -heul-i2a-e %o/er o0 5ei*. ca* be -he ul-i2a-e %o/er o0 .oo+! No cha*.eable orco*+i-io*e+ .oo+ ca* o1erco2e -he 0ear -ha- i- 2ay be lo,-! O*ly i* -heU*cha*.eable ca* be 0ou*+ -he %riu, o0 all .oo+*e,,! I* rela-io* -o esse ipsum


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=E8i,-e*ce i-,el0> *o +i00ere*ce be-/ee* -he co.*i-i1e a*+ -he a%%e-i-i1e i,%o,,ible becau,e a ,e%ara-io* o0 -he 0u*c-io*, %re,u%%o,e, a ,e%ara-io* o0,ub4ec- a*+ ob4ec-!

The Au.u,-i*ia* -ra+i-io* ca* ri.h-ly be calle+ 2y,-ical i0 2y,-ici,2 i,+e0i*e+ a, -he e8%erie*ce o0 -he i+e*-i-y o0 ,ub4ec- a*+ ob4ec- i* rela-io* -o 5ei*.i-,el0! I* -er2, o0 our i+ea, o0 ,-ra*.er a*+ e,-ra*.e2e*- @ei,-er Ec;ar- ,ay,:9There i, be-/ee* Go+ a*+ -he ,oul *ei-her ,-ra*.e*e,, *or re2o-e*e,,-here0ore -he ,oul i, *o- o*ly eual /i-h Go+ bu- i- i, !!! -he ,a2e -ha- He i,!9Thi, i, o0 cour,e a %ara+o8ical ,-a-e2e*- a, Ec;ar- a*+ all 2y,-ic, ;*e/3 0or i*or+er -o state -he i+e*-i-y a* ele2e*- o0 *o*'i+e*-i-y 2u,- be %re,u%%o,e+! Thi,%ro1e+ -o be -he +y*a2ic a*+ cri-ical %oi*- i* -he o*-olo.ical a%%roach!

O* -hi, ba,i, -he o*-olo.ical ar.u2e*- 0or -he e8i,-e*ce o0 Go+ 2u,- beu*+er,-oo+! I- i, *ei-her a* ar.u2e*- *or +oe, i- +eal /i-h -he e8i,-e*ce o0 Go+

al-hou.h i- o0-e* ha, bee* e8%re,,e+ i* -hi, 0or2! I- i, -he ra-io*al +e,cri%-io* o0-he rela-io* o0 our 2i*+ -o 5ei*. a, ,uch! Our 2i*+ i2%lie, principia per senota =,el0'e1i+e*- %ri*ci%le,> /hich ha1e i22e+ia-e e1i+e*ce /he*e1er -hey are*o-ice+: -he -ra*,ce*+e*-alia esse, verum, bonum =Ac- o0 bei*. Tru-h -heGoo+>. They co*,-i-u-e -he Ab,olu-e i* /hich -he +i00ere*ce be-/ee* ;*o/i*.a*+ ;*o/* i, *o- ac-ual! Thi, Ab,olu-e a, -he %ri*ci%le o0 5ei*. ha, ab,olu-ecer-ai*-y! I- i, a *ece,,ary -hou.h- becau,e i- i, -he %re,u%%o,i-io* o0 all-hou.h-! 9The +i1i*e ,ub,-a*ce i, ;*o/* i* ,uch a /ay -ha- i- ca**o- be -hou.h-*o- -o be9 ,ay, Ale8a*+er o0 Hale,! The 0ac- -ha- %eo%le -ur* a/ay 0ro2 -hi,-hou.h- i, ba,e+ o* i*+i1i+ual +e0ec-, bu- *o- o* -he e,,e*-ial ,-ruc-ure o0 -he

2i*+! The 2i*+ i, able -o -ur* a/ay 0ro2 /ha- i, *eare,- -o -he .rou*+ o0 i-,o/* ,-ruc-ure! Thi, i, -he *er1e o0 -he o*-olo.ical ar.u2e*-! 5u- A*,el2 o* -he

ba,i, o0 hi, e%i,-e2olo.ical reali,2 -ra*,0or2e+ -he primum esse i*-o a* ensrealissimum, -he %ri*ci%le i*-o a u*i1er,al bei*.! I* +oi*. ,o he /a, o%e* -o alla--ac;, 0ro2 Gau*ilo a*+ Tho2a, -o a*- /ho ri.h-ly +e*y -ha- -here i, alo.ical -ra*,i-io* 0ro2 -he *ece,,i-y o0 5ei*. i-,el0 -o a hi.he,- bei*. 0ro2 a%ri*ci%le /hich i, beyo*+ e,,e*ce a*+ e8i,-e*ce -o ,o2e-hi*. -ha- e8i,-,!

5u- e1e* i* -hi, i*,u00icie*- 0or2 -he 2ea*i*. o0 -he o*-olo.ical a*,/er -o

-he ue,-io* o0 -he -/o Ab,olu-e, i, 1i,ible! Deus est esse =Go+ i, 5ei*.>, a*+-he cer-ai*-y o0 Go+ i, i+e*-ical /i-h -he cer-ai*-y o0 5ei*. i-,el0: Go+ i, -he%re,u%%o,i-io* o0 -he ue,-io* o0 Go+!

III! The Tho2i,-ic Bi,,olu-io*


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The o*-olo.ical a%%roach a, elabora-e+ by Au.u,-i*e a*+ hi, ,chool ha+ le+-o +i00icul-ie, a, -hey a%%eare+ i* -he A*,el2ia* 0or2 o0 -he o*-olo.icalar.u2e*- a*+ i* -he -heolo.ical u,e o0 i- by -he .rea- Fra*ci,ca*,! Here -hecri-ici,2 o0 Aui*a, ,-ar-,! 5u- -hi, cri-ici,2 i* Tho2a, hi2,el0 a*+ 2orera+ically i* Bu*, Sco-u, a*+ Willia2 o0 Occa2 .oe, 0ar beyo*+ -he abu,e, a*++i00icul-ie,! I- ha, 0or -he lar.er %ar- o0 We,-er* hu2a*i-y u*+er2i*e+ -heo*-olo.ical a%%roach a*+ /i-h i- -he i22e+ia-e reli.iou, cer-ai*-y! I- ha,re%lace+ -he 0ir,- -y%e o0 %hilo,o%hy o0 reli.io* by -he ,eco*+ -y%e!

The .e*eral charac-er o0 -he Tho2i,-ic a%%roach -o -he %hilo,o%hy o0reli.io* i, -he 0ollo/i*.: The ra-io*al /ay -o Go+ i, *o- i22e+ia-e bu-2e+ia-e+! I- i, a /ay o0 i*0ere*ce /hich al-hou.h correc- +oe, *o- .i1eu*co*+i-io*al cer-ai*-y3 -here0ore i- 2u,- be co2%le-e+ by -he /ay o0 au-hori-y!Thi, 2ea*, -ha- -he i22e+ia-e ra-io*ali-y o0 -he Fra*ci,ca*, i, re%lace+ by a*ar.u2e*-a-i1e ra-io*ali-y a*+ -ha- be,i+e -hi, ra-io*al ele2e*- ,-a*+, *o*'

ra-io*al au-hori-y! I* or+er -o 2a;e -hi, ,-e% Tho2a, ha+ -o +i,2i,, -he Au.u,-i*ia* ,olu-io*! So he ,ay,: 9There are -/o /ay, i* /hich ,o2e-hi*. i,;*o/*: by i-,el0 a*+ by u,! There0ore I ,ay -ha- -hi, %ro%o,i-io* Go+ i, i, ;*o/*

by i-,el0 i*,o0ar a, He i, in Hi2,el0 becau,e -he %re+ica-e i, -he ,a2e a, -he,ub4ec-! For Go+ i, Hi, o/* bei*. ! ! ! 5u- ,i*ce we +o *o- ;*o/ abou- Go+ /ha-He i, -ha- %ro%o,i-io* i, *o- ;*o/* by i-,el0 bu- 2u,- be +e2o*,-ra-e+ -hrou.h-ho,e -hi*., /hich are 2ore ;*o/* /i-h re,%ec- -o u, -ha- i, -hrou.h Hi,e00ec-,!9 I* -he,e /or+, Aui*a, cu-, -he *er1e o0 -he o*-olo.ical a%%roach! @a*i, e8clu+e+ 0ro2 -he primum esse a*+ -he prima veritas. I- i, i2%o,,ible 0or hi2-o a+here -o -he u*crea-e+ -ru-h! For -he %ri*ci%le, -he -ra*,ce*+e*-alia are

not -he %re,e*ce o0 -he +i1i*e i* u, -hey are not -he 9u*crea-e+ li.h-9 -hrou.h /hich /e ,ee e1ery-hi*. bu- -hey are -he crea-e+ ,-ruc-ure o0 our 2i*+! I- i,ob1iou, -ha- i* -hi, /ay -he i22e+ia-e ;*o/le+.e o0 -he Ab,olu-e i, +e,-roye+!

&apientia, -he ;*o/le+.e o0 -he %ri*ci%le, i, uali-a-i1ely *o- +i00ere*- 0ro2scientia. A, a ,-u+e*- o0 2u,ic ha, -o acce%- -he %ro%o,i-io*, o0 -he2a-he2a-icia*, e1e* i0 he +oe, *o- u*+er,-a*+ -heir 0ull 2ea*i*. ,o 2a* ha,-o acce%- -he %ro%o,i-io*, o0 -ha- ,cie*ce /hich Go+ ha, o0 Hi2,el0 a*+ /hich-he a*.el, 0ully u*+er,a*+! They are .i1e* u, by au-hori-y! 9Ar.ui*. ou- o0au-hori-y i, 2o,- a%%ro%ria-e -o -hi, +oc-ri*e (-heolo.y)9 Tho2a, ,ay,! The

5ible co*,eue*-ly beco2e, a collec-io* o0 -rue %ro%o,i-io*, i*,-ea+ o0 bei*. a.ui+e boo; -o co*-e2%la-io* a, i* 5o*a1e*-ura! A*+ /hile -he Fra*ci,ca*,e,%ecially Ale8a*+er +i,-i*.ui,h be-/ee* (a) -ho,e +oc-ri*e, /hich belo*. -o-he e-er*al -ru-h a*+ are i22e+ia-ely e1i+e*- (a, 0or i*,-a*ce Go+ a, esse,verum, bonum) a*+ (b) -ho,e +oc-ri*e, /hich are ,eco*+ary e2bo+yi*. -hee-er*al -ru-h i* -e2%oral 0or2, a*+ are co*-i*.e*- a*+ *o- e1i+e*- (a, 0ori*,-a*ce -he I*car*a-io* a*+ -he +oc-ri*e o0 -he Church) Tho2a, %u-, all-heolo.ical ,-a-e2e*-, o* -he ,a2e le1el *a2ely -ha- o0 au-hori-y! Thi, ha, -he


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co*,eue*ce -ha- credere =-o belie1e> a*+ intelligere =-o u*+er,-a*+> are -or*a,u*+er! Accor+i*. -o Tho2a, -he ,a2e ob4ec- ca**o- be -he ob4ec- o0 0ai-h a*+o0 ;*o/le+.e3 0or 0ai-h +oe, *o- i2%ly a* i22e+ia-e co*-ac- /i-h i-, ob4ec-!Fai-h i, le,, -ha* ;*o/le+.e! 9So 0ar a, 1i,io* i, lac;i*. -o i- 0ai-h 0all, ,hor- o0-he or+er o0 ;*o/le+.e /hich i, %re,e*- i* ,cie*ce9 ,ay, Tho2a,3 a*+ 1i,io*accor+i*. -o hi2 i, *o- %o,,ible i* our bo+ily e8i,-e*ce! Here are -he roo-, o0-ha- +e-eriori6a-io* o0 -he -er2 90ai-h9 by /hich i- i, u*+er,-oo+ a, belie0 /i-h alo/ +e.ree o0 e1i+e*ce a*+ /hich 2a;e, i-, u,e -o+ay al2o,- i2%o,,ible! The,e%ara-io* o0 0ai-h i* -he ,e*,e o0 ,ub4ec-io* -o au-hori-y a*+ ;*o/le+.e i* -he,e*,e o0 ,cie*ce e*-ail, -he ,e%ara-io* o0 -he %,ycholo.ical 0u*c-io*, /hich i*

Au.u,-i*e are e8%re,,io*, o0 -he ,a2e %,ychic ,ub,-a*ce! The i*-ellec- i, 2o1e+ by -he /ill -o acce%- co*-e*-, /hich are acci+e*-al -o -he i*-ellec-3 /i-hou- -heco22a*+ o0 -he /ill a,,e*- -o -he -ra*,ce*+e*- ,cie*ce ca**o- be reache+! The

/ill 0ill, -he .a% /hich -he i*-ellec- ca**o- bri+.e a0-er -he o*-olo.icali22e+iacy ha, bee* -a;e* a/ay!

For Tho2a, all -hi, 0ollo/, 0ro2 hi, ,e*,e'bou*+ e%i,-e2olo.y: 9Thehu2a* i*-ellec- ca**o- reach by *a-ural 1ir-ue -he +i1i*e ,ub,-a*ce becau,eaccor+i*. -o -he /ay o0 -he %re,e*- li0e -he co.*i-io* o0 our i*-ellec- ,-ar-, /i-h-he ,e*,e,!9 Fro2 -here /e 2u,- a,ce*+ -o Go+ /i-h -he hel% o0 -he ca-e.ory o0cau,ali-y! Thi, i, /ha- -he %hilo,o%hy o0 reli.io* ca* +o a*+ ca* +o 0airly ea,ilyi* co,2olo'.ical -er2,! We ca* ,ee -ha- -here 2u,- be %ure ac-uali-y ,i*ce -he2o1e2e*- 0ro2 %o-e*-iali-y -o ac-uali-y i, +e%e*+e*- o* ac-uali-y ,o -ha- a*ac-uali-y %rece+i*. e1ery 2o1e2e*- 2u,- e8i,-! The o*-olo.ical ar.u2e*- i,i2%o,,ible *o- o*ly i* i-, +oub-0ul 0or2 bu- i* i-, 1ery ,ub,-a*ce! Gil,o* %u-, i-

-hi, /ay: 9I- i, i*+ee+ i*co*-e,-able -ha- i* Go+ e,,e*ce a*+ e8i,-e*ce arei+e*-ical! 5u- -hi, i, -rue o0 -he e8i,-e*ce i* /hich Go+ ,ub,i,-, e-er*ally i*Hi2,el03 *o- o0 -he e8i,-e*ce -o /hich our 0i*i-e 2i*+ ca* ri,e /he* by+e2o*,-ra-io* i- e,-abli,he, -ha- Go+ i,!9 I- i, ob1iou, -ha- -hi, ,eco*+ co*ce%-o0 e8i,-e*ce bri*., Go+, e8i,-e*ce +o/* -o -he le1el o0 -ha- o0 a ,-o*e or a ,-ara*+ i- 2a;e, a-hei,2 *o- o*ly %o,,ible bu- al2o,- u*a1oi+'able a, -he la-er+e1elo%2e*- ha, %ro1e+!

The 0ir,- ,-e% i* -hi, +irec-io* /a, -a;e* by Bu*, Sco-u, /ho a,,er-e+ a*

i*,u%erable .a% be-/ee* 2a* a, 0i*i-e a*+ Go+ a, -he i*0i*i-e bei*. a*+ /ho+eri1e+ 0ro2 -hi, ,e%ara-io* -ha- -he co,2olo.ical ar.u2e*-, a, demonstra'tiones e$ finito =+e2o*,-ra-io*, o0 -he 0i*i-e> re2ai* /i-hi* -he 0i*i-e a*+ca**o- reach -he i*0i*i-e! They ca**o- -ra*,ce*+ -he i+ea o0 a ,el0'2o1i*.-eleolo.ical u*i1er,e! O*ly au-hori-y ca* .o beyo*+ -hi, ra-io*al %robabili-y o0Go+ /hich i, a 2ere %o,,ibili-y! The co*ce%- o0 bei*. lo,e, i-, o*-olo.icalcharac-er3 i- i, a /or+ co1eri*. -he e*-irely +i00ere*- real2, o0 -he 0i*i-e a*+ -hei*0i*i-e! Go+ cea,e, -o be 5ei*. i-,el0 a*+ beco2e, a %ar-icular bei*. /ho 2u,-


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be ;*o/* cognitione particulari. (ccam, -he 0a-her o0 la-er *o2i*ali,2 call,Go+ a res singularissima. He ca* be a%%roache+ *ei-her by i*-ui-io* *or byab,-rac-io*3 -ha- 2ea*, *o- a- all e8ce%- -hrou.h a* u**o-iceable habi- o0 .racei* -he u*co*,ciou, /hich i, ,u%%o,e+ -o 2o1e -he /ill -o/ar+, ,ub4ec-io* -oau-hori-y! Thi, i, -he 0i*al ou-co2e o0 -he Tho2i,-ic +i,,olu-io* o0 -he

Au.u,-i*ia* ,olu-io*! The ue,-io* o0 -he -/o Ul-i2a-e, i, a*,/ere+ i* ,uch a /ay -ha- -he reli.iou, Ab,olu-e ha, beco2e a ,i*.ular bei*. o0 o1er'/hel2i*.%o/er /hile -he %hilo,o%hical Ab,olu-e i, 0or2ali6e+ i*-o a .i1e* ,-ruc-ure o0reali-y i* /hich e1ery-hi*. i, co*-i*.e*- a*+ i*+i1i+ual! Early Pro-e,-a*-i,2 /a,ra-her /i,e /he* u*+er -he,e %hilo,o%hical %re,u%%o,i-io*, i- re,-rai*e+ i-,el00ro2 +e1elo%i*. a*y %hilo,o%hy o0 reli.io* a*+ elabora-e+ i* -he %o/er o0 i-,reli.iou, e8%erie*ce a co*ce%- o0 0ai-h i* /hich -he +i,ru%-e+ ele2e*-, o0 la-er,chola,-ici,2 e*-ere+ a *e/ ,y*-he,i,! For -hi, /a, -he .ai* o0 -he Tho2i,-ic-ur* -ha- -he *a-ure o0 0ai-h /a, -horou.hly +i,cu,,e+ a*+ -he *ai1ei+e*-i0ica-io* o0 i22e+ia-e e1i+e*ce /i-h 0ai-h /a, o1erco2e ,o -ha- -he

co*-i*.e*- ele2e*- i* reli.io* beca2e 1i,ible!

ID! Co*0lic-, a*+ @i8-ure, o0 -he T/o Ty%e,i* -he @o+er* Philo,o%hy o0 Reli.io*

The 2a-erial /hich coul+ be collec-e+ u*+er -hi, hea+i*. i, i22e*,e! 5u-i-, ori.i*ali-y i* co2%ari,o* /i-h -he cla,,ical a*,/er, i, ,2all! The,e a*,/er,re-ur* a.ai* a*+ a.ai* ,e%ara-e+ or i* 2i8-ure! While -he .e*eral -re*+ i,+e-er2i*e+ by -he co,2olo.ical -y%e a*+ i-, 0i*al ,el0'*e.a-io* o*-olo.icalreac-io*, a.ai*,- i- occur i* all ce*-urie, a*+ ha1e beco2e 2ore 0reue*- i*

rece*- year,!

I- ha, o0-e* bee* ,ai+ -ha- -he 2oral -y%e o0 %hilo,o%hy o0 reli.io* (/hich0ollo/, a*-, ,o'calle+ 2oral ar.u2e*- 0or -he e8i,-e*ce o0 Go+) re%re,e*-, a*e/ -y%e! 5u- -hi, i, *o- -he ca,e! The 2oral ar.u2e*- 2u,- be ei-heri*-er%re-e+ co,2olo.ically or o*-olo.ically! I0 i- i, u*+er,-oo+ co,2olo.ically-he 0ac- o0 2oral 1alua-io* i, -he ba,i, o0 a* i*0ere*ce lea+i*. -o a hi.he,- bei*.

/ho .uara*-ee, -he ul-i2a-e u*i-y o0 1alue a*+ %er0ec-io* or -o -he belie0 i* -he 1ic-oriou, %o/er o0 1alue'crea-i*. %roce,,e,! I0 -he 2oral ar.u2e*- i,

i*-er%re-e+ i* -he o*-olo.ical /ay -he e8%erie*ce o0 -he u*co*+i-io*al charac-ero0 -he 2oral co22a*+ i, i22e+ia-ely /i-hou- a*y i*0ere*ce -he a/are*e,, o0-he Ab,olu-e -hou.h *o- o0 a hi.he,- bei*.! I- i, i*-ere,-i*. -o *o-ice i* -hi,co**ec-io* -ha- e1e* -he o*-olo.ical ar.u2e*- ca* be 0or2ula-e+co,2olo.ically a, 0or i*,-a*ce /he* Be,car-e, 0ollo/i*. Bu*, Sco-u, 2a;e,a* i*0ere*ce 0ro2 -he i+ea o0 a* i*0i*i-e bei*. i* our 2i*+ -o hi, e8i,-e*ce a, -hecau,e o0 -hi, i+ea! Thi, i, -he ba,ic +i00ere*ce be-/ee* -he Au.u,-i*ia* a*+Car-e,ia* ,-ar-i*. %oi*-3 i- i, roo-e+ i* -he re2o1al o0 -he 2y,-ical ele2e*- o0


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Au.u,-i*e, i+ea o0 ul-i2a-e e1i+e*ce by Be,car-e, co*ce%- o0 ra-io*ali-y!

Ob1iou,ly Ger2a* i+eali,2 belo*., -o -he o*-olo.ical -y%e o0 %hilo,o%hy o0reli.io*! I- /a, *o- /ro*. i* ree,-abli,hi*. -he prius o0 ,ub4ec- a*+ ob4ec- bu- i-

/a, /ro*. i* +eri1i*. 0ro2 -he Ab,olu-e -he /hole o0 co*-i*.e*- co*-e*-, a*a--e2%- 0ro2 /hich -he Fra*ci,ca*, /ere %ro-ec-e+ by -heir reli.iou, %o,i-i1i,2!Thi, o1er,-e%%i*. o0 -he li2i-, o0 -he o*-olo.ical a%%roach ha, +i,cre+i-e+ i- i*Pro-e,-a*-i,2 /hile -he ,a2e 2i,-a;e o0 -he *eo',chola,-ic o*-olo.i,-, ha,+i,cre+i-e+ i- i* Ca-holici,2!

No *e/ -y%e ha, bee* %ro+uce+ by -he ,o'calle+ e2%irical or e8%eri2e*-al%hilo,o%hy o0 reli.io*! @o,- o0 i-, re%re,e*-a-i1e, belo*. -o -he co,2olo.ical-y%e! They ar.ue 0or Go+ a, 9-he be,- e8%la*a-io* o0 2a*, .e*eral e8%erie*ce,9or 0or 9-he -hei,-ic hy%o-he,i,9 a, -he 92o,- rea,o*able belie09 e-c! i*i**u2erable 1aria-io*,3 a++i*. -o i- a, -he co,2olo.ical -y%e al/ay, 2u,-

re2*a*-, o0 -he Ol+'Pro-e,-a*- i+ea o0 %er,o*al 0ai-h /hich re2ai* u*rela-e+ -o-he co,2olo.ical %robabili-ie,! O0-e* ho/e1er a* i+ea o0 reli.iou, e8%erie*ce i,u,e+ /hich ha, li--le i* co22o* /i-h a* e2%irical a%%roach a*+ u,e,Fra*ci,ca* -er2, a*+ a,,er-io*,! I0 -he i+ea o0 Go+ i, -o be 0or2ula-e+ 9i* ,uch a

/ay -ha- -he ue,-io* o0 Go+, e8i,-e*ce beco2e, a +ea+ i,,ue9 ( Wie2a*)3 i0Ly2a* ,%ea;, o0 9-he i**er2o,- ce*-er o0 2a* /hich i, i* ;i*,hi% /i-h -heBee%e,- Reali-y i* -he U*i1er,e93 i0 5aillie +e*ie, -he %o,,ibili-y o0 .e*ui*ea-hei,23 i0 -he co*ce%- o0 1i,io* i, u,e+ a.ai* a*+ a.ai* 0or our ;*o/le+.e o0Go+ /e are i* a* o*-olo.ical a-2o,%here al-hou.h -he o*-olo.ical a%%roach i,*o- clearly ,-a-e+ a*+ i-, rela-io* -o -he co,2olo.ical a%%roach a*+ -o 0ai-h i, *o-

a+eua-ely e8%lai*e+!

@ore co*,ciou,ly o*-olo.ical are %hilo,o%hie, o0 reli.io* li;e -ha- o0Hoc;i*. /ho e2%ha,i6e, -he i22e+ia-e e8%erie*ce o0 9Whole*e,,9 a, -he priuso0 all ob4ec-i1e ;*o/le+.e /i-h re,%ec- -o bei*. a*+ 1alue or o0 Whi-ehea+ /hocall, -he %ri2or+ial *a-ure o0 Go+ -he %ri*ci%le o0 co*cre-io* or o0 Har-,hor*e

/ho -rie, -o re'e,-abli,h -he o*-olo.ical ar.u2e*- a*+ -o co2bi*e i- /i-h -he9co*-i*.e*-9 i* Go+! Wi-h re,%ec- -o .e*ui*e %ra.2a-i,2 i- belo*., -o -heo*-olo.ical li*e i* ,o 0ar a, i- clearly re4ec-, -he co,2olo.ical ar.u2e*-a-io* a*+

re0u,e, -o acce%- -he clea1a.e be-/ee* ,ub4ec- a*+ ob4ec- a, 0i*al! I- i, ho/e1er*o- 0ree 0ro2 re2*a*-, o0 -he co,2olo.ical -y%e a, a2e,, Sco-i,-ic +oc-ri*e o0-he 9/ill -o belie1e9 a*+ -he /i+e,%rea+ a,,u2%-io* -ha- -he e*+ o0 -heco,2olo.ical /ay i, -he e*+ o0 a*y ra-io*al a%%roach -o reli.io* i*+ica-e!

The ,y,-e2a-ic ,olu-io* here ,u..e,-e+ i, ,-a-e+ i* a 2erely a00ir2a-i1e a*+co*,-ruc-i1e 0or2! The ar.u2e*-, o* /hich -hi, ,y,-e2a-ic a--e2%- i, ba,e+ are


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i2%lie+ i* -he cla,,ical +i,cu,,io* o0 -he -/o /ay, o0 a %hilo,o%hy o0 reli.io* a*+i-, 2o+er* re%ercu,',io*,! They clearly ,ho/ /hy a0-er -he +e,-ruc-io* o0 -heo*-olo.ical a%%roach reli.io* i-,el0 /a, +e,-roye+!

D! The O*-olo.ical A/are*e,, o0 -he U*co*+i-io*al

The ue,-io* o0 -he -/o Ab,olu-e, ca* be a*,/ere+ o*ly by -hei+e*-i0ica-io* o0 -he %hilo,o%hical Ab,olu-e /i-h -he one ele2e*- o0 -he reli.iou,

Ab,olu-e! The Deus est esse =Go+ i, 5ei*.> i, -he ba,i, o0 all %hilo,o%hy o0reli.io*! I- i, -he co*+i-io* o0 a u*i-y be-/ee* -hou.h- a*+ reli.io* /hicho1erco2e, -heir ,o -o ,%ea; ,chi6o%hre*ic clea1a.e, i* %er,o*al a*+ cul-uralli0e!

The o*-olo.ical %ri*ci%le i* -he %hilo,o%hy o0 reli.io* 2ay be ,-a-e+ i* -he0ollo/i*. /ay: )an is immediately aware of something unconditional which is

the prius of the separation and interaction of subect and obect, theoreticallyas well as practically.

A/are*e,, i* -hi, %ro%o,i-io* i, u,e+ a, -he 2o,- *eu-ral -er2 a1oi+i*.-he co**o-a-io*, o0 -he -er2, i*-ui-io* e8%erie*ce ;*o/le+.e! A/are*e,, o0-he U*co*+i-io*e+ ha, *o- -he charac-er o0 9i*-ui-io*9 0or -he U*co*+i-io*e++oe, *o- a%%ear i* -hi, a/are*e,, a, a "Gestalt" -o be i*-ui-e+ bu- a, a*ele2e*- a %o/er a, +e2a*+! Tho2a, /a, ri.h- i* +e*yi*. -ha- -he 1i,io* o0Go+ i, a hu2a* %o,,ibili-y i* ,o 0ar a, 2e* i* -i2e a*+ ,%ace are co*cer*e+!Nei-her ,houl+ -he /or+ 9e8%erie*ce9 be u,e+ becau,e i- or+i*arily +e,cribe,

-he ob,er1e+ %re,e*ce o0 o*e reali-y -o a*o-her reali-y a*+ becau,e -heU*co*+i-io*e+ i, *o- a 2a--er o0 e8%erie*-ial ob,er1a-io*! 9*o/le+.e9 0i*ally%re,u%%o,e, -he ,e%ara-io* o0 ,ub4ec- a*+ ob4ec- a*+ i2%lie, a* i,ola-e+-heore-ical ac- /hich i, 4u,- -he o%%o,i-e o0 a/are*e,, o0 -he U*co*+i-io*e+! 5u--hi, -er2i*olo.ical ue,-io* i, *o- o0 %ri2ary i2%or-a*ce! I- i, ob1iou, -ha- -heo*-olo.ical a/are*e,, i, i22e+ia-e a*+ *o- 2e+ia-e+ by i*0ere*-ial %roce,,e,!I- i, %re,e*- /he*e1er co*,ciou, a--e*-io* i, 0ocu,,e+ o* i- i* -er2, o0 a*u*co*+i-io*al cer-ai*-y!

A/are*e,, o0 cour,e i, al,o a co.*i-i1e -er2! 5u- a/are*e,, o0 -heU*co*+i-io*al i, i-,el0 u*co*+i-io*al a*+ -here0ore beyo*+ -he +i1i,io* o0 -he%,ycholo.ical 0u*c-io*,! I- /a, a 2ai* i*-ere,- o0 Au.u,-i*ia* %,ycholo.y -o,ho/ -he 2u-ual i22a*e*ce o0 -he 0u*c-io*, o0 -he ,oul a*+ -he i2%o,,ibili-y o0,e%ara-i*. -he2 i* -heir rela-io* -o -he esse, verum, bonum. I- i, i2%o,,ible -o

be a/are o0 -he U*co*+i-io*e+ a, i0 i- +i+ *o- e8clu+e by i-, 1ery %re,e*ce a*yob,er1er /ho /a, *o- co*+i-io*e+ by i- i* hi, /hole bei*.! Tho2a, i*4ure+ -heu*+er,-a*+i*. o0 reli.io* /he* he +i,,ol1e+ -he ,ub,-a*-ial u*i-y o0 -he


10/13

%,ycholo.ical 0u*c-io*, a*+ a--ribu-e+ -o -he /ill i* i,ola-io* /ha- -he i*-ellec-alo*e i, *o- able -o %er0or2! A*+ Schleier2acher i*4ure+ -he u*+er,-a*+i*. o0reli.io* /he* i* hi, .rea- 0i.h- a.ai*,- -he co,2olo.ical a%%roach o0 Pro-e,-a*-E*li.h-e*2e*- he cu- 90eeli*.9 (a, -he reli.iou, 0u*c-io*) o00 0ro2 /ill a*+i*-ellec- -hu, e8clu+i*. reli.io* 0ro2 -he -o-ali-y o0 %er,o*al e8i,-e*ce a*++eli1eri*. i- -o e2o-io*al ,ub4ec-i1i-y! )an, *o- hi, co.*i-i1e 0u*c-io* alo*e i,a/are o0 -he U*co*+i-io*e+! I- /oul+ -here0ore be %o,,ible -o call -hi, a/are*e,,9e8i,-e*-ial9 i* -he ,e*,e i* /hich E8i,-e*-ial %hilo,o%hy ha, u,e+ -he /or+*a2ely -he %ar-ici%a-io* o0 2a* a, a /hole i* -he co.*i-i1e ac-! I* 0ac- -hi, i,%robably -he o*ly %oi*- /here -hi, -er2 coul+ a+eua-ely be u,e+ i* %hilo,o%hy!The rea,o* i- i, *o- u,e+ here i, -he e,,e*-ial u*i-y o0 -he u*co*+i-io*al a*+ -heco*+i-io*e+ i* -he o*-olo.ical a/are*e,,3 /hile i* -he /or+ 9e8i,-e*-ial9,e%ara-io* a*+ +eci,io* are i*+ica-e+! A*+ -he la--er are ele2e*-, o0 0ai-h! While-heolo.y i, +irec-ly a*+ i*-e*-io*ally e8i,-e*-ial %hilo,o%hy i, ,o o*ly i*+irec-lya*+ u*i*-e*-io*ally -hrou.h -he e8i,-e*-ial ,i-ua-io* o0 -he %hilo,o%her!

The -er2 9u*co*+i-io*al9 *ee+, ,o2e i*-er%re-a-io*! Al-hou.h i* -hehi,-orical %ar- -he %hra,e 9-he -/o Ab,olu-e,9 i, a%%lie+ i* or+er -o e8%lai* -he%roble2 -he /or+ i, re%lace+ by 9u*co*+i-io*al9 i* -he co*,-ruc-i1e %ar-!9Ab,olu-e9 i0 -a;e* li-erally 2ea*, 9/i-hou- rela-io*93 i0 -a;e* -ra+i-io*ally i-co**o-a-e, -he i+eali,-ic ,el0'+e1elo%i*. %ri*ci%le! 5o-h 2ea*i*., are a1oi+e+i* -he co*ce%- 9u*co*+i-io*al9 /hich i2%lie, -he u*co*+i-io*al +e2a*+ u%o*-ho,e /ho are a/are o0 ,o2e-hi*. u*co*+i-io*al a*+ /hich ca**o- bei*-er%re-e+ a, -he %ri*ci%le o0 a ra-io*al +e+uc-io*! 5u- e1e* here /ro*.co**o-a-io*, 2u,- be %re1e*-e+: Nei-her 9The U*co*+i-io*e+9 *or 9,o2e-hi*.

u*co*+i-io*al9 i, 2ea*- a, a bei*. *o- e1e* -he hi.he,- bei*. *o- e1e* Go+!Go+ i, u*co*+i-io*e+ -ha- 2a;e, hi2 Go+3 bu- -he 9u*co*+i-io*al9 i, *o- Go+!The /or+ 9Go+9 i, 0ille+ /i-h -he co*cre-e ,y2bol, i* /hich 2a*;i*+ ha,e8%re,,e+ i-, ul-i2a-e co*cer*i-, bei*. .ra,%e+ by ,o2e-hi*. u*co*+i-io*al!

A*+ -hi, 9,o2e-hi*.9 i, *o- 4u,- a -hi*. bu- -he %o/er o0 bei*. i* /hich e1ery bei*. %ar-ici%a-e,!

Thi, %o/er o0 bei*. i, -he prius =be0ore> o0 e1ery-hi*. -ha- ha, bei*.! I-%rece+e, all ,%ecial co*-e*-, lo.ically a*+ o*-olo.ically! I- %rece+e, e1ery

,e%ara-io* a*+ 2a;e, e1ery i*-erac-io* %o,,ible becau,e i- i, -he %oi*- o0i+e*-i-y /i-hou- /hich *ei-her ,e%ara-io* *or i*-erac-io* ca* be -hou.h-! Thi,re0er, ba,ically -o -he ,e%ara-io* a*+ i*-erac-io* o0 ,ub4ec- a*+ ob4ec- i*;*o/i*. a, /ell a, i* ac-i*.! The prius o0 ,ub4ec- a*+ ob4ec- ca**o- beco2e a*ob4ec- -o /hich 2a* a, a ,ub4ec- i, -heore-ically a*+ %rac-ically rela-e+! Go+ i,*o ob4ec- 0or u, a, ,ub4ec-,! He i, al/ay, -ha- /hich %rece+e, -hi, +i1i,io*! 5u-o* -he o-her ha*+ /e ,%ea; abou- hi2 a*+ /e ac- u%o* hi2 a*+ /e ca**o-a1oi+ i- becau,e e1ery-hi*. /hich beco2e, real -o u, e*-er, -he ,ub4ec-'ob4ec-


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correla-io*! Ou- o0 -hi, %ara+o8ical ,i-ua-io* -he hal0' bla,%he2ou, a*+2y-holo.ical co*ce%- o0 -he 9e8i,-e*ce o0 Go+9 ha, ari,e*! A*+ ,o ha1e -heabor-i1e a--e2%-, -o %ro1e -he e8i,-e*ce o0 -hi, 9ob4ec-!9 To ,uch a co*ce%- a*+-o ,uch a--e2%-, a-hei,2 i, -he ri.h- reli.iou, a*+ -heolo.ical re%ly! Thi, /a,

/ell ;*o/* -o -he 2o,- i*-e*,i1e %ie-y o0 all -i2e,! The a-hei,-ic -er2i*olo.y o02y,-ici,2 i, ,-ri;i*.! I- lea+, beyo*+ Go+ -o -he U*co*+i-io*e+ -ra*,ce*+i*.a*y 0i8a-io* o0 -he +i1i*e a, a* ob4ec-! 5u- /e ha1e -he ,a2e 0eeli*. o0 -hei*a+euacy o0 all li2i-i*. *a2e, 0or Go+ i* *o*'2y,-ical reli.io*! Ge*ui*ereli.io* /i-hou- a* ele2e*- o0 a-hei,2 ca**o- be i2a.i*e+! I- i, *o- by cha*ce-ha- *o- o*ly Socra-e, bu- al,o -he e/, a*+ -he early Chri,-ia*, /ere%er,ecu-e+ a, a-hei,-,! For -ho,e /ho a+here+ -o -he %o/er, -hey /ere a-hei,-,!

The o*-olo.ical a%%roach -ra*,ce*+, -he +i,cu,,io* be-/ee* *o2i*ali,2a*+ reali,2 i0 i- re4ec-, -he co*ce%- o0 -he ens realissimum a, i- 2u,- +o! 5ei*.i-,el0 a, %re,e*- i* -he o*-olo.ical a/are*e,, i, %o/er o0 5ei*. bu- *o- -he 2o,-

%o/er0ul bei*.3 i- i, *ei-her ens realissimum *or ens singularissimum. I- i, -he%o/er i* e1ery-hi*. -ha- ha, %o/er be i- a u*i1er,al or a* i*+i1i+ual a -hi*. ora* e8%erie*ce!

DI! The Co,2olo.ical Reco.*i-io* o0 -he U*co*+i-io*e+

Hi,-ory a*+ a*aly,i, ha1e ,ho/* -ha- -he co,2olo.ical a%%roach -o reli.io*lea+, -o -he ,el0'+e,-ruc-io* o0 reli.io* e8ce%- a, i- i, ba,e+ o* -he o*-olo.icala%%roach! I0 -hi, ba,i, i, .i1e* -he co,2olo'.ical %ri*ci%le ca* be ,-a-e+ i* -he0ollo/i*. /ay: The *nconditioned of which we have an immediate awareness,

without inference, can be recogni+ed in the cultural and natural universe.

The co,2olo.ical a%%roach ha, u,ually a%%eare+ i* -/o 0or2, -he 0ir,-+e-er2i*e+ by -he co,2olo.ical a*+ -he ,eco*+ by -he -eleolo.ical ar.u2e*-!

A0-er ha1i*. +e*ie+ ra+ically -he ar.u2e*-a-i1e 2e-ho+ a%%lie+ i* -hi, ;i*+ o0co,2olo.y /e ca* re+i,co1er -he real a*+ e8-re2ely %ro+uc-i1e 2ea*i*. o0 -heco,2olo.ical /ay i* -he %hilo,o%hy o0 reli.io*! Fro2 -/o %oi*-, o0 1ie/ -hi, ca*

be +o*e a*+ ha, -o be +o*e 2ore -ha* e1er ,i*ce -he Fra*ci,ca* %erio+ i* -hela,- +eca+e, o0 our -i2e! The o*e ;i*+ o0 co,2olo.ical reco.*i-io* 0ollo/, -he

0ir,- ,-e% o0 -he ol+ co,2olo.ical ar.u2e*- *a2ely -he a*aly,i, o0 -he 0i*i-u+e o0-he 0i*i-e i* -he li.h- o0 -he a/are*e,, o0 -he U*co*+i-io*e+! I* co*ce%-, li;eco*-i*.e*cy i*,ecuri-y -ra*,i-ori*e,, a*+ -heir %,ycholo.ical correla-e,a*8ie-y care 2ea*i*.le,,*e,, a *e/ co,2olo.ical a%%roach ha, +e1elo%e+!@e+ical %,ycholo.y -he +oc-ri*e o0 2a* a*+ -he E8i,-e*-ial %hilo,o%hy ha1eco*-ribu-e+ -o -hi, *e.a-i1e /ay o0 reco.*i6i*. -he u*co*+i-io*al ele2e*- i*2a* a*+ hi, /orl+! I- i, -he 2o,- i2%re,,i1e /ay o0 i*-ro+uci*. %eo%le i*-o -he2ea*i*. o0 reli.io*i0 -he 0allaciou, i*0ere*ce -o a hi.he,- bei*. i, a1oi+e+!


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The o-her ;i*+ o0 co,2olo.ical reco.*i-io* i, a00ir2a-i1e a*+ 0ollo/, -he0ir,- ,-e% o0 -he -eleolo.ical ar.u2e*- *a2ely -he -raci*. o0 -he u*co*+i-io*alele2e*- i* -he crea-i1i-y o0 *a-ure a*+ cul-ure! Wi-h re,%ec- -o *a-ure -hi, ha,

bee* +o*e i* -he elabora-io* a*+ ul-i2a-e 1alua-io* o0 i+ea, ,uch a,9/hole*e,,9 9lan vital 9 9%ri*ci%le o0 co*cre-io*9 9Gestalt 9 e-c! i* all o0 /hich,o2e-hi*. u*co*+i-io*al co*+i-io*i*. a*y ,%ecial e8%erie*ce i, i2%lie+! Wi-hre,%ec- -o cul-ure -hi, ha, bee* +o*e by a reli.iou, i*-er%re-a-io* o0 -heau-o*o2ou, cul-ure a*+ i-, +e1elo%2e*- a 9-heolo.y o0 cul-ure9 a, i- coul+ becalle+! The %re,u%%o,i-io* o0 -hi, 2a*y',i+e+ a--e2%- i, -ha- i* e1ery cul-uralcrea-io*a %ic-ure a ,y,-e2 a la/ a %oli-ical 2o1e2e*- (ho/e1er ,ecular i-2ay a%%ear) a* ul-i2a-e co*cer* i, e8%re,,e+ a*+ -ha- i- i, %o,,ible -oreco.*i6e -he u*co*,ciou, -heolo.ical charac-er o0 i-!

Thi, o0 cour,e i, %o,,ible o*ly o* -he ba,i, o0 -he o*-olo.ical a/are*e,, o0

-he U*co*+i-io*e+ i!e! o* -he ba,i, o0 -he i*,i.h- -ha- ,ecular cul-ure i,e,,e*-ially a, i2%o,,ible a, a-hei,2 becau,e bo-h %re,u%%o,e -he u*co*+i-io*alele2e*- a*+ bo-h e8%re,, ul-i2a-e co*cer*,!

DII! O*-olo.ical Cer-ai*-y a*+ -he Ri,; o0 Fai-h

The i22e+ia-e a/are*e,, o0 -he U*co*+i-io*e+ ha, *o- -he charac-er o00ai-h bu- o0 ,el0'e1i+e*ce! Fai-h co*-ai*, a co*-i*.e*- ele2e*- a*+ +e2a*+, ari,;! I- co2bi*e, -he o*-olo.ical cer-ai*-y o0 -he U*co*+i-io*e+ /i-h -heu*cer-ai*-y abou- e1ery-hi*. co*+i-io*e+ a*+ co*cre-e! Thi, o0 cour,e +oe, *o-

2ea* -ha- 0ai-h i, belie0 i* ,o2e-hi*. /hich ha, hi.her or lo/er +e.ree, o0%robabili-y! The ri,; o0 0ai-h i, *o- -ha- i- acce%-, a,,er-io*, abou- Go+ 2a* a*+

/orl+ /hich ca**o- be 0ully 1eri0ie+ bu- 2i.h- be or 2i.h- *o- be i* -he 0u-ure!The ri,; o0 0ai-h i, ba,e+ o* -he 0ac- -ha- -he u*co*+i-io*al ele2e*- ca* beco2ea 2a--er o0 ul-i2a-e co*cer* o*ly i0 i- a%%ear, i* a co*cre-e e2bo+i2e*-! I- ca*a%%ear i* %uri0ie+ a*+ ra-io*ali6e+ 2y-holo.ical ,y2bol, li;e Go+ a, hi.he,-%er,o*al bei*. a*+ li;e 2o,- o0 -he o-her -ra+i-io*al -heolo.ical co*ce%-,! I- ca*a%%ear i* ri-ual a*+ ,acra2e*-al ac-i1i-ie, 0or -he a+here*-, o0 a %rie,-ly a*+au-hori-aria* reli.io*! I- ca* a%%ear i* co*cre-e 0or2ula, a*+ a ,%ecial beha1ior

e8%re,,i*. -he i*e00able a, i- al/ay, occur, i* li1i*. 2y,-ici,2! I- ca* a%%ear i*%ro%he-ic'%oli-ical +e2a*+, 0or ,ocial 4u,-ice i0 -hey are -he ul-i2a-e co*cer* o0reli.iou, a*+ ,ecular 2o1e2e*-,! I- ca* occur i* -he ho*e,-y a*+ ul-i2a-e+e1o-io* o0 -he ,er1a*-, o0 ,cie*-i0ic -ru-h! I- ca* occur i* -he u*i1er,ali,2 o0 -hecla,,ical i+ea o0 %er,o*ali-y a*+ i* -he S-oic (a*cie*- a*+ 2o+er*) a--i-u+e o0ele1a-io* o1er -he 1ici,,i-u+e, o0 e8i,-e*ce! I* all -he,e ca,e, -he ri,; o0 0ai-h i,a* e8i,-e*-ial ri,; a ri,; i* /hich -he 2ea*i*. a*+ 0ul0il2e*- o0 our li1e, i, a-,-a;e a*+ *o- a -heore-ical 4u+.2e*- /hich 2ay be re0u-e+ ,oo*er or la-er!


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The ri,; o0 0ai-h i, *o- arbi-rari*e,,3 i- i, a u*i-y o0 0a-e a*+ +eci,io*! A*+ i-i, ba,e+ o* a 0ou*+a-io* /hich i, *o- ri,;: -he a/are*e,, o0 -he u*co*+i-io*alele2e*- i* our,el1e, a*+ our /orl+! O*ly o* -hi, ba,i, i, 0ai-h 4u,-i0ie+ a*+%o,,ible! There are 2a*y e8a2%le, o0 %eo%le o0 -he 2y,-ical a, /ell a, o0 -he%ro%he-ic a*+ ,ecular -y%e, /ho i* 2o2e*-, (a*+ e1e* %erio+,) o0 -heir li1e,e8%erie*ce+ -he 0ailure o0 -he 0ai-h -hey ha+ ri,;e+ a*+ /ho %re,er1e+ -heo*-olo.ical cer-ai*-y -he u*co*+i-io*al ele2e*- i* -heir 0ai-h! The %ro0ou*+e,-+oub- coul+ *o- u*+er2i*e -he %re,u%%o,i-io* o0 +oub- -he a/are*e,, o0,o2e-hi*. u*co*+i-io*al!

Al-hou.h 0ai-h i, a 2a--er o0 0a-e a*+ +eci,io* -he ue,-io* 2u,- be rai,e+ /he-her -here i, a cri-erio* 0or -he ele2e*- o0 +eci,io* i* 0ai-h! The a*,/er i,:The u*co*+i-io*al o0 /hich /e are i22e+ia-ely a/are i0 /e -ur* our 2i*+, -oi-! The cri-erio* o0 e1ery co*cre-e e8%re,,io* o0 our ul-i2a-e co*cer* i, -he

+e.ree -o /hich -he co*cre-e*e,, o0 -he co*cer* i, i* u*i-y /i-h i-, ul-i2acy! I- i,-he +a*.er o0 e1ery e2bo+i2e*- o0 -he u*co*+i-io*al ele2e*- reli.iou, a*+,ecular -ha- i- ele1a-e, ,o2e-hi*. co*+i-io*e+ a ,y2bol a* i*,-i-u-io* a2o1e2e*- a, ,uch -o ul-i2acy! Thi, +a*.er /a, /ell ;*o/* -o -he reli.iou,lea+er, o0 all -y%e,3 a*+ -he /hole /or; o0 -heolo.y ca* be ,u22e+ u% i* -he,-a-e2e*- -ha- i- i, -he %er2a*e*- .uar+ia* o0 -he u*co*+i-io*al a.ai*,- -hea,%ira-io* o0 i-, o/* reli.iou, a*+ ,ecular a%%eara*ce,!

The o*-olo.ical a%%roach -o %hilo,o%hy o0 reli.io* a, e*1i,a.e+ by Au.u,-i*e a*+ hi, 0ollo/er, a, rea%%eari*. i* 2a*y 0or2, i* -he hi,-ory o0

-hou.h- i0 cri-ically rei*-er%re-e+ by u, i, able -o +o 0or our -i2e /ha- i- +i+ i*-he %a,- bo-h 0or reli.io* a*+ cul-ure: -o o1erco2e a, 0ar a, i- i, %o,,ible by2ere -hou.h- -he 0a-e0ul .a% be-/ee* reli.io* a*+ cul-ure -hu, reco*cili*.co*cer*, /hich are *o- ,-ra*.e -o each o-her bu- ha1e bee* e,-ra*.e+ 0ro2 eacho-her!

Paul Tilich: Two Types of Philosophy of Religion_

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Transcript of Paul Tilich: Two Types of Philosophy of Religion_