Author(s): Stephen J Clark

Philosophy

These expanded Gifford lectures attempt to answer Tertullian’s jibe, “What business has Jerusalem with Athens?” That is, what possible connection can there be between Christianity’s “enthusiasm” and rational philosophy? Addressing this question within the horizons of multiple, sometimes apparently opposing, worldviews, the author ends by stoutly defending reason, the achievability of truth, and the reality of consciousness against contemporary attack, illustrating how philosophy—too often reduced to abstract pseudo-virtuosity—can help us dissolve modern conundrums that have led to epidemic depression, relativism, and acedia. In particular, he finds that Neoplatonic theism, which has well served Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Hindus, provides a language of debate for those of different religious traditions, and a context in which those dedicated to humane learning and the love of truth can take their pursuit as something more than an impracticable hobby. This thesis is applied to such issues as the evolution of consciousness, environmentalism, animals’ rights, the ethics of belief, negative theology, and the problem of evil.