Ebook: Theology and public philosophy: four conversations

This volume brings together eminent theologians, philosophers and political theorists to discuss the relevance of theology and theologically grounded moral reflection to contemporary America{u2019}s public life and argument. Avoiding the focus on hot-button issues, shrill polemics, and sloganeering that so often dominate discussions of religion and public life, the contributors address such subjects as how religious understandings have shaped the moral landscape of contemporary culture, the possible contributions of theologically-informed argument to contemporary public life, religious and moral discourse in a pluralistic society, and the proper relationship between religion and culture.;Indeed, in the conviction that serious conversation about the type of questions being explored in this volume is in short supply today, this volume is organized in a manner designed to foster authentic dialogue. Each of the book{u2019}s four sections consists of an original essay by an eminent scholar focusing on a specific aspect of the problem that is the volume{u2019}s focus followed by three responses that directly engage its argument or explore the broader problematic it addresses. The volume thus takes the form of a dialogue in which the analyses of four eminent scholars are each engaged by three interlocutors.;Theology and the American civil conversation / Kenneth L. Grasso -- pt. 1. Charles Taylor, "Perils of moralism" and responses. Perils of moralism / Charles Taylor -- Ockham's children : nomolatry, nominalism, and contemporary moral culture / Kenneth L. Grasso -- Nomolatry and fidelity / Fred Dallmayr -- Moralism and its traps / William Schweiker -- pt. 2. Nicholas Wolterstorff, "The authorities are God's servants" : is a theistic account of political authority still viable or have humanist accounts won the day? and responses. "The authorities are God's servants" : is a theistic account of political authority still viable or have humanist accounts won the day? / Nicholas Wolterstorff -- Two theories, not one / J. Budziszewski -- On the origin and nature of political authority : a response to Nicholas Wolterstorff / Jeanne Heffernan Schindler -- Is consent a theological category? / Joshua Mitchell -- pt. 3. Robin W. Lovin, "Consensus and commitment : real people, religious reasons, and public discourse" and responses. Consensus and commitment : real people, religious reasons, and public discourse / Robin W. Lovin -- Re-framing the conversation / Charles Matthewes -- Why we can talk to each other : a response to Robin Lovin / Jonathan Chaplin -- Liberal democracy : an alternative to the idolotry of the nation state? / Michael L. Budde -- pt. 4. Jean Porter, "Moral traditions" and responses -- Moral traditions / Jean Porter -- Adjudicating moral inquiry : scientific reason and/or dialogical encounters / Eloise A. Buker -- Alasdair MacIntyre : closet liberal / Christopher Beem -- Taking the American moral tradition seriously / Peter Berkowitz -- Epilogue / Jean Bethke Elshtain.