Thursday, March 03, 2011

Post-Secularism in Europe

The River Raisin, in Monroe
Here's one to follow.

I linked to the International Philosophy of Religion's website. Then, I clicked on "Nordic Society for the Philosophy of Religion." Because I am Nordic (Finnish). This took me to the University of Oslo, and the Nordic Philosophy site. I felt excited, as excited as a Nordic could feel (which is not  very excited). The very word "Nordic" chills my blood. Cold, miserable, Nordic winter weather = ideal time to philosophize. A slight smile came across my face, but only because no one was looking.

I scrolled all the way down and cliocked on "Philosophy of Religion." And got here. And read: "The post-secular condition raises new challenges for academic co-operation." "Post-secular?" Why not?

I then read some stuff on post-secularism, and ended up here, sitting at the table with the outrageously brilliant philosophy Jurgen Habermas. Habermas joined Northwestern's philosophy faculty some years after I graduated. Bummer! It appears that Habermas coined the term "post-secular."

"There are signs that the anti-religion virulence is in abeyance in Europe and one who detects those signs is none other than the present day European philosopher Jürgen Habermas. He seems to detect what he calls a “post-secular” age on the European horizon. This has all the self-proclaimed secular humanists, who generally disdain religion and advocate its liquidation, a bit worried lately. Their strident vitriolic statements against religion have been on the increase lately. For they have always fantasized of being at the very cutting edge of what it means to be modern and “enlightened” and now feel such a position challenged not only by theologians and religious leaders but by a philosopher to boot."

Very interesting. I googled "Jurgen Habermas post secularism," and traveled to an essay by Habermas, "Notes on a post-secular society."

It is here my journey ends. For now. I'm going to bed. I will set out in this direction again.