I'd like to pick up the thread I left a few months ago. Since I've been teaching Philosophy of Religion again this term, I figured it might be a good idea to pick up this theme on existentially important issues in philosophy of religion. The idea behind this question was that while much philosophy of religion comes from quite different times, insights from the past might be helpful for shedding light on contemporary issues of practical, even existential urgency.
In class discussions, a wide variety of issues came up. Students' responses clustered around three broad areas:
1. Philosophy of religion could play a constructive role in addressing the philosophical underpinnings of our emerging environmental crises relating to climate change. Here, I think Martin Hägglund's ideas, and especially his notion of "secular faith," were particularly inspiring for students. A lot of this no doubt has to do with many students holding to some combination of materialism and atheism. A robust social ethic grounded in a sense of what is at stake in our shared world appeals to a good many of my students.
2. Philosophy of religion could help facilitate intercultural communication, especially when it comes to understanding and interpreting traditional beliefs and practices across cultures and historical periods. Importantly, this sensibility had to do with living in pluralistic societies (including but not exclusively China) or with awareness of international business contexts in which students might find themselves someday. One student specifically drew on Simone Weil's work on attention (to God, to neighbors) as a resource for intercultural communication.
3. A good many students also reflected on the dynamics of war and violence in the contemporary world and the constructive role philosophy of religion could play. In particular, students mentioned that philosophy of religion could help with interpreting and applying relevant religious teachings (e.g., "non-violence," "turning the other cheek") and in the contemporary world. Some students also considered how philosophy of religion could play a critical role by countering misuse of religious texts or doctrines in justifying violence or warfare.
A smaller but still significant number of students identified topics relating to gender and identity and the important role philosophy of religion could play in questioning interpretations of sacred texts that have been used to support traditionalist accounts of gender roles.
Especially in contexts where overt identification with religious identities is low, reflecting on the existential importance of philosophy of religion is helpful. Not only does it bridge historical work in global philosophy with our own contemporary world and its problems, but it also may be helpful for generating new insights into (and possible new ways of addressing) difficult problems. I'll be keeping issues like these in mind as I revise the course for the future and as I consider possible future writing projects on existential issues and contemporary philosophy of religion.
