Religious Epistemology in John Hick’s Philosophy: A Nigerian Appreciation

Olusegun Noah Olawoyin

doi:10.4236/ojpp.2016.62019

Abstract

John Hick is well-known among philosophers and theologians for his philosophy of religious pluralism. Before proposing his theory of religious pluralism, however, he has made major contributions in religious epistemology and other religio-philosophical issues. His later philosophy of religious pluralism is based on his earlier proposal on religious epistemology. Hick affirmed that although religious statements are cognitive, the world is religiously ambiguous. This paper argues that Nigeria as a country riddled with religious conflicts can benefit from religious epistemology of John Hick. Using conceptual analytic method of philosophy to present Hick’s religious epistemology and applicatory technique to propose how the epistemology can be appropriated in Nigeria, the paper argues that such religious epistemology will result in tolerance and peace.

Highlights

Religious pluralism is the theme with which John Hick is usually associated by critics
There are other themes, in which his contributions are striking and as Paul Badham notes, in treating those topics, one must either dialogue with or criticize what Hick has said (Badham, 1990: p. 1). Some of these include: religious epistemology, the problem of evil, the issue of after-life and the Christian doctrines of incarnation, Trinity and Atonement. Many of these were developed before his concept of religious pluralism, such as those of epistemology and theodicy, it is impossible not to notice that these other contributions were the ones that culminated in religious pluralism
In the religious epistemological propositions of John Hick, we have identified ideas that can be appropriated by Nigerian religious thinkers

Summary

Introduction

Religious pluralism is the theme with which John Hick is usually associated by critics. Some of these include: religious epistemology, the problem of evil, the issue of after-life and the Christian doctrines of incarnation, Trinity and Atonement Many of these were developed before his concept of religious pluralism, such as those of epistemology and theodicy, it is impossible not to notice that these other contributions were the ones that culminated in religious pluralism. If one agrees with his concept of religious pluralism, one would have to agree with many of his other contributions Because this writer believes that his theory of religious pluralism can be appropriated by Nigeria for peaceful coexistence among the religions, the religious epistemology suggested by him can be appropriated. The themes to be appropriated are presented and how the appropriation can be beneficial to Nigerian society, and the conclusion

Background to Hick’s Religious Epistemology

Hick’s Religious Epistemology

A Nigerian Appreciation of Hick’s Religious Epistemology

Conclusion