Introduction: The State of Philosophy of Religion and Postcoloniality

Abstract

The prominent philosopher of religion, Robert Cummings Neville, has recently argued that in late modern times, “the world's great religious cultures are confused by fragmentation in two directions.” The first confusion stems from uncertainty as to how the religions relate to one another, the second from the failure of the religions to address the distinctive forces of a complex world society (Neville 2002: 137–138).

Neville commends philosophy as a way to clarify and perhaps transform the religious fragmentation of the times. However, even in doing so, Neville urges a vigorous critique of philosophy of religion as presently practised. We quote at length.