Charles Hartshorne's Concept of God

Charles Hartshorne's considerable writings have been influential in contem 1 porary religious and philosophical thought. Not only is he regarded as the leading living representative of process thought as well as a much respected interpreter of Whitehead, but he has also established himself as an original 2 and creative thinker in his own right. The literature on his philosophy has been rapidly increasing. His thought and influence have also been the subject 3 of a number of conferences and gatherings of scholars. One of Hartshorne's most notable contributions to contemporary philoso 4 phy and theology is his concept of God. In his writings he has set out "to formulate the idea of deity so as to preserve, perhaps increase, its religious value, while yet avoiding the contradictions which seem inseparable from the 5 idea as customarily defined." The result of his efforts has been the develop ment of the concept of a "dipolar God" (insofar as contrasting metaphysical predicates, e.g. relative/absolute, contingent/necessary, finite/infinite and so on, are affirmed as applicable to God although always in an eminent way). Inasmuch as he has elaborated this concept in close dialogue with classical theism, he also refers to it as "neo-classical". Because of the emphasis he places on the reality of change and becoming in his metaphysics (which regards God as the chief exemplification of metaphysical principles), the term 6 "process" has likewise been used to describe his notion of God.

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Charles Hartshorne's considerable writings have been influential in contem­ 1 porary religious and philosophical thought. Not only is he regarded as the leading living representative of process thought as well as a much respected interpreter of Whitehead, but he has also established himself as an original 2 and creative thinker in his own right. The literature on his philosophy has been rapidly increasing. His thought and influence have also been the subject 3 of a number of conferences and gatherings of scholars. One of Hartshorne's most notable contributions to contemporary philoso­ 4 phy and theology is his concept of God. In his writings he has set out "to formulate the idea of deity so as to preserve, perhaps increase, its religious value, while yet avoiding the contradictions which seem inseparable from the 5 idea as customarily defined." The result of his efforts has been the develop­ ment of the concept of a "dipolar God" (insofar as contrasting metaphysical predicates, e.g. relative/absolute, contingent/necessary, finite/infinite and so on, are affirmed as applicable to God although always in an eminent way). Inasmuch as he has elaborated this concept in close dialogue with classical theism, he also refers to it as "neo-classical". Because of the emphasis he places on the reality of change and becoming in his metaphysics (which regards God as the chief exemplification of metaphysical principles), the term 6 "process" has likewise been used to describe his notion of God.

Contenu

1. Hartshorne's Neoclassical Theism and Black Theology.- 2. The Dipolar God and Latin American Liberation Theology.- 3. Competition and the Common Good: The Liberal Politics of Charles Hartshorne.- 4. God, Power and the Struggle for Liberation: A Feminist Contribution.- 5. Religion, God and Indian Thought.- 6. The World: Body of God or Field of Cosmic Activity?.- 7. Charles Hartshorne's Philosophy of God: A Thomistic Critique.- 8. Can the God of Process Thought be Redeemed?.- 9. Hartshorne's Concept of God Examined in the Light of Phenomenology and Buddhism.- 10. Some Remarks on Charles Hartshorne's Conception of Theology.- 11. Continuity and Novelty: A Contribution to the Dialogue between Buddhism and Process Thought.- 12. A Jewish Perspective on Charles Hartshorne's Concept of God.- 13. Process Thought and Some Biblical Evidence.- 14. Rigor, Reason and Moderation: Hartshorne's Contribution to the Philosophy of Religion and Philosophical Theology.- Critical Response by Charles Hartshorne.- Notes on Contributors.- Index of Names.