Andrew Collier, On Christian Belief: A Defence of a Cognitive Conception of Religious Belief in a Christian Context

Andrew Collier, On Christian Belief: A Defence of a Cognitive Conception of Religious Belief in a Christian Context

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On Christian Belief offers a defence of realism in the philosophy of religion. It argues that religious belief - with particular reference to Christian belief - unlike any other kind of belief, is cognitive; making claims about what is real, and open to rational discussion between believers and non-believers. The author begins by providing a critique of several views which either try to describe a faith without cognitive context, or to justify believing on non-cognitive grounds. He then discusses what sense can be made of the phenomenon of religious conversion by realists and non-realists. After a chapter on knowledge in general, he defends the idea that religious knowledge is very like other knowledge, in being based on reliable testimony, sifted by reason and tested by experience. The logical status of the content of religious belief is then discussed, with reference to Christianity.

Margaret Archer, William Outhwaite, Defending Objectivity: Essays in Honour of Andrew Collier

Margaret Archer, William Outhwaite, Defending Objectivity: Essays in honour of Andrew Collier

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Andrew Collier is the boldest defender of objectivity - in science, knowledge, thought, action, politics, morality and religion. In this tribute and acknowledgement of the influence his work has had on a wide readership, his colleagues show that they have been stimulated by his thinking and offer challenging responses. This wide-ranging book covers key areas with which defenders of objectivity often have to engage. Sections are devoted to the following:
* objectivity of value
* objectivity and everyday knowledge
* objectivity in political economy
* objectivity and reflexivity
* objectivity postmodernism and feminism
* objectivity and nature
The diverse contributions range from social and political thought to philosophy, reflecting the central themes of Collier's work.