Religious Pluralisms: From Homogenization to Radicality

Abstract

Among the philosophical and theological responses to the phenomenon of religious diversity, religious pluralism has been both prominent and influential. Of its various proponents, John Hick and John Cobb represent two important figures whose respective positions, especially that of Hick, have done much to shape the debate over religious pluralism. This article critically analyses their positions, arguing that, by unhelpfully homogenizing religious perspectives, each of them fails to do justice to the radical diversity that exists. As an alternative to these homogenizing tendencies, the article builds upon D. Z. Phillips' contemplative conception of philosophy to develop a radical pluralist approach, which prioritizes a deepening of understanding of religious diversity rather than the promotion of one's own theological preferences.Keywords Religious diversity . Religious pluralism . John Hick . John Cobb . D. Z. Phillips . Radical pluralism . Contemplative philosophy of religion Few would deny that religious diversity is an obvious fact. There are, and have been throughout history, numerous religions, and so too are there many people who do not follow any religion. This situation generates a multiplicity of worldviews and forms of life, at least many of which appear to be in tension with one another. How should philosophers of religion respond to this situation?Various responses are evident in the literature. Some of these derive from thinkers who are more commonly identified as theologians than as philosophers, but the disciplinary boundaries are fluid in this discursive area. A well-known threefold typology of theoretical positions is that which comprises exclusivism, inclusivism and pluralism. Initially devised by Alan Race in the early 1980s, 1 the typology has SOPHIA https://doi

Analyzing John H. Hick’s Religious Pluralism and Its Implications from Islamic Ethical Perspectives

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