Paradise Understood

Abstract

Abstract Paradise Understood: New Philosophical Essays about Heaven is an edited volume of seventeen philosophical essays that systematically investigates heaven as conceived within theistic religious traditions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The volume addresses an unparalleled variety of topics concerning what life in paradise would, could, or will be like for human persons. While some chapters offer novel approaches to traditional questions about heaven, others break new ground by addressing new questions. The authors wrestle with questions about human life in paradise that span the spectrum of the major subfields of philosophical enquiry, such as: Will human persons in paradise be infallible or omniscient? Which virtues might they possess, and will they grow in their possession of virtue? What does justice require regarding who inhabits paradise? How can bodily resurrection be secured? What sort of free will might inhabitants of paradise possess? Would the life of paradise be good or desirable? By employing both historical and contemporary philosophical resources, the authors of the essays in this volume together make a pioneering contribution toward answering these and other pressing questions about human life in paradise. Their work is sure to serve as a platform for future research on the topic, reinvigorating philosophical investigation into these neglected topics within philosophy of religion.