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The Wonder and Spirit of Phenomenology and Theology: R ubenstein and D errida on H eidegger's Formal Distinction of Philosophy from Theology
Author(s) -
Capretto Peter
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the heythrop journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.127
H-Index - 10
eISSN - 1468-2265
pISSN - 0018-1196
DOI - 10.1111/heyj.12019
Subject(s) - wonder , metaphysics , philosophy , phenomenology (philosophy) , theology , epistemology , philosophy of religion , philosophical theology
While H eidegger's earlier phenomenological writings inform much contemporary discourse in the continental philosophy of religion, his 1927 essay on ‘Phenomenology and Theology’ offers a largely uncontested distinction between philosophy and theology on the basis of their possibilities as sciences following ontological difference. This paper reconsiders H eidegger's distinction by invoking spirit and wonder, concepts Jacques D errida and M ary‐ J ane R ubenstein have more recently emphasized as central to thought that is open to that which ruptures metaphysical schemas. I contend H eidegger's use of ontological difference as a formal distinction between philosophy and theology distances us from the wonder, spirit, and truth ( alētheia ) that undoes the binaries behind which we take shelter. However, I temper this critique with the recognition that H eidegger, D errida, and R ubenstein equally recognize an inescapable repetition of metaphysical thinking in the philosophy of religion.