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The Theological Origins of Modernity

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( 265 ratings, 38 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Theological Origins of Modernity by Michael Allen Gillespie explores the profound influence of theological ideas on the development of modern thought. Gillespie delves into the intertwining of theology and philosophy, examining how modernity has been shaped by debates around religion, science, and the nature of human existence. The book investigates key philosophical figures and their contributions to this evolution, offering a deep insight into the foundations of contemporary thinking.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're intrigued by the intricate interplay between theology and the development of modern philosophical thought. It explores how theological ideas have shaped the modern world, making it appealing for those interested in the philosophical roots of contemporary society.

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Exposing the religious roots of our ostensibly godless age, this study reveals that modernity is much less secular than conventional wisdom suggests. Beginning with the collapse of the medieval world, it argues that from the very beginning, moderns sought not to eliminate religion but to support a new view of religion and its place in human life.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Exposing the religious roots of our ostensibly godless age, Michael Allen Gillespie reveals in this landmark study that modernity is much less secular than conventional wisdom suggests. Taking as his starting point the collapse of the medieval world, Gillespie argues that from the very beginning, moderns sought not to eliminate religion but to support a new view of religion and its place in human life.

He goes on to explore the ideas of such figures as William of Ockham, Petrarch, Erasmus, Luther, Descartes, and Hobbes, showing that modernity is best understood as a series of attempts to formulate a new and coherent metaphysics or theology.

The Theological Origins of Modernity brings the history of political thought up to date and situates it against the backdrop of contemporary events. Gillespie’s analyses provide us a way to begin to have conversations with the Islamic world about what is perhaps the central question within each of the three monotheistic religions: if God is omnipotent, then what is the place of human freedom?

"Joshua Mitchell, Georgetown University"

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Michael Allen Gillespie's The Theological Origins of Modernity is praised for its insightful analysis of how theological debates have fundamentally shaped the modern world. It is considered an excellent complement to Charles Taylor's A Secular Age and a counterpoint to Mark Lilla's The Stillborn God. The book is noted for its examination of the interplay between divine omnipotence and human freedom within the context of modern philosophy and its relevance to contemporary global dialogues. Critics highlight its depth in exploring the religious underpinnings of modern political thought, making it highly recommended for those interested in the philosophical dimensions of modernity.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780226293462

Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 September 2009

Country: United States

Imprint: University of Chicago Press

Audience: Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 21.0mm

Width: 160.0mm

Height: 233.0mm

Weight: 562g

Pages: 400

About the Author

Michael Allen Gillespie is the Jerry G. and Patricia Crawford Hubbard Professor of Political Science in Trinity College of Arts and Sciences and professor of philosophy at Duke University. He is the author of Hegel, Heidegger, and the Ground of History and Nihilism Before Nietzsche, both published by the University of Chicago Press.

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