Spring 2006/Pasadena
PH548/TH806
Murphy
PH548/TH806: THEOLOGICAL USES OF POSTMODERN PHILOSOPHY. Nancey Murphy.
DESCRIPTION:
- This is a doctoral level seminar, open at the 500-level to a
limited number of advanced master's students. The modern period has been a
difficult one for theologians, largely due to modern philosophical
presuppositions. It is the thesis of this course that Anglo-American philosophy
itself has undergone a quiet revolution since the 1950s, and that the new
philosophical climate offers exciting possibilities for theologians. We will
read representative works by `revolutionaries' in philosophy of science,
epistemology, philosophy of mind and philosophy of language, and look at their
consequences for theology, biblical studies, and theological ethics.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Many battles fought in both liberal and conservative churches are
products of modern thought. This course should help future church leaders put
the old issues into perspective. More importantly, it should provide a more
helpful framework for creative and productive theologizing.
COURSE FORMAT:
- This is a bi-level course for advanced master's students and for
PhD and ThM students. The class will meet weekly for a three-hour session, with
class time divided between lectures and discussion of the readings.
REQUIRED READING:
- Kerr, Fergus. Theology after Wittgenstein. SPCK, 1997.
- Kuhn, Thomas. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. University of
Chicago Press, 1970.
- Lindbeck, George. The Nature of Doctrine. Westminster/John Knox,
1984.
- MacIntyre, Alasdair. Three Rival Versions of Moral Enquiry. Notre
Dame, 1990.
- McClendon, James Wm. and James M. Smith. Convictions. Wipf and
Stock, 1994.
- Murphy, Nancey. Anglo-American Postmodernity. Westview, 1997.
- Stout, Jeffrey. The Flight from Authority. photocopied.
- Wittgenstein, Ludwig. The Blue and Brown Books. Macmillan,
1953.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Careful reading of texts; regular attendance; class participation.
Master's-level students have the choice of writing eight two-page papers (one
on each reading assignment) or one 20-page paper. Graduate students: 20-30 page
paper.
PREREQUISITES:
- For master's-level students: previous course work in philosophy;
Fuller GPA of 3.5; permission of instructor.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Elective. (May fulfill core PHIL requirement for students with
undergraduate major in philosophy.)
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- None.