Religious Pluralism

Abstract

Within the philosophy of religion, theories of religious pluralism are models that provide a philosophical account of religious diversity. They are not descriptive theories of religion, and the terms “religious pluralism” and “religious diversity” are not equivalent in the context of philosophical discussion. Theories of religious pluralism have been present within the philosophy of religion since the 1700s, when G. W. F. Hegel and F. D. E. Schleiermacher established the modern discipline on the understanding that the philosophical study of religion embraced all religions. Religious pluralism came to prominence within the philosophy of religion in the 1980s, with the work of the British philosopher John Hick (b. 1922–d. 2012) being seminal. During the 1990s, philosophical work on religious pluralism and related topics was dominated by the discussion among Hick, his supporters, and his critics. Hick’s theory of religious pluralism is still the most comprehensive and widely discussed in Anglo-American philosophy of religion. In his development of the theory, Hick engaged with and was often influential on work in other areas of philosophy, especially metaphysics, epistemology, and the philosophy of language. This intersection of philosophical concerns continues to make the investigation of religious pluralism a focal point within the philosophy of religion. This article provides references to works that explain the wider methodological context of theories of religious pluralism. It then provides a section covering Hick’s major works on religious pluralism, as well as the most significant responses to his theory. Since the late 20th century, and in the light of the philosophical difficulties attending Hick’s theory, alternative theories of religious pluralism have been proposed. This article provides references to some of the most interesting proposals. The article then hones in on the interface between theories of religious pluralism and epistemology, providing references under these subsections: Religious Diversity and Epistemic Disagreement, Warranted Christian Exclusivism, and Religious Diversity and Religious Experience. Recognizing that some philosophers interested in religious diversity focus on its social, ethical, and political dimensions, this article provides references to the most significant philosophical works related to such practical concerns, insofar as they have a bearing on the discussion of theories of religious pluralism. A section is also provided on Islam and Religious Pluralism, since Muslim philosophers of religion have been especially active in this area. A final section provides references to some key works engaging with religious pluralism from the perspectives of theology and religious studies.