Frederick Douglass and the Philosophy of Religion: An Interpretation of Narrative, Art, and Politics addresses Douglass's narrative method and the reformed epistemology of analytic theism within the context of incarnational theology. Timothy J. Golden argues that in this context, Douglass's use of narrative maintains a robust moral, social, and political engagement-and thus a closer connection to an authentic Christian theology-in a way that analytic theism does not. To show this contrast, Golden presents existential and phenomenological interpretations of Douglass, reading him with Kierkegaard, Kafka, and Levinas. Golden also interprets Douglass's use of moral suasion with Kant's moments of aesthetic judgment and his account of judgment as a mediating faculty between the understanding and reason. Golden concludes the book with reflection on how Douglass's incarnational theology connects to his future philosophical and theological work, work that understands consciousness (subjectivity) as saturated in time understood as history. The resulting understanding of consciousness provides tools to overcome abstraction not only in social and political philosophy, Christianity, and philosophical theology, but also in gender studies.
Timothy J. Golden is professor of philosophy at Walla Walla University.
Preface and Acknowledgements Introduction: The Dawn: A New Day for a New Song 1 The Word Made Flesh: Narrative and the Jurisdiction of History 2 The Truth in Fiction: Narrative, Art, and Subjectivity 3 Overcoming Theodicy: Narrative, Poetry, and the Phenomenology of Suffering 4 A Demand for Universality: Narrative, Art, and the Politics of Moral Suasion 5 An Ethical Metaphysics of the Flesh: Narrative, Theology and Justice Epilogue: Toward a Philosophical Theology of History: Narrative and Resurrection Bibliography Index
"Frederick Douglass and the Philosophy of Religion: An Interpretation of Narrative, Art, and Politics is a careful and insightful reading of Frederick Douglass. Drawing on the works of writers such as Kant, Levinas, and Kierkegaard, Professor Golden addresses the problem of morality and religious beliefs. The goal is to put these thinkers in conversation with Frederick Douglass. Mission accomplished. A provocative and thought-provoking read." -- Bill E. Lawson, The University of Memphis "Timothy Golden is not afraid to poke the bear. In this passionately argued book, he takes the field of philosophy to task for ignoring the insights of Black thought and experience. With expansive learning and clear exposition, Golden demonstrates how Frederick Douglass is an essential conversation partner for-and critic of-canonical works in philosophy of religion, ranging from Kant to Kierkegaard to Levinas." -- Vincent Lloyd, Villanova University
