Philosophy ETDs

Publication Date

6-9-2016

Abstract

This is a study in the religious philosophy of the Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor. I focus in particular on the role of transcendence in his later writing on religion and secularity with the aim of contributing to a better understanding of his overall vision of the way out of the malaise of modernity, namely, his adumbration of a pluralistic solution, which I call "inclusive humanism" in contrast to both a narrow religious humanism on the one hand, and a narrow "exclusive" secular humanism on the other. Transcendence as transformation is the centerpiece of Taylor's hope for the moral and spiritual health of the late modern West, a civilization that he argues is struggling to maintain its commitment to a number of demanding universal moral standards in the face of dwindling resources for articulating continued affirmation or practical commitment. While Taylor believes that the Judeo-Christian tradition contains within itself the potential for renewal, his pluralist vision is open to the possibility of a new, inclusive humanism. The requisite transformation he envisions is modeled after religious conversion, but it is also clear that Taylor is open to non-religious possibilities.

Degree Name

Philosophy

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Philosophy

First Advisor

Goodman, Russell B.

Second Advisor

Thomson, Iain

First Committee Member (Chair)

Becker, Kelly

Second Committee Member

Gutowski, Piotr

Third Committee Member

N/A

Language

English

Keywords

Transcendence Secularity

Document Type

Dissertation

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