Transcendental theology

Transcendental theology is a term invented by Immanuel Kant to describe a method of discerning theological concepts.[1] Kant divided transcendental theology into "ontotheology" and "cosmotheology", both of which he also invented, "in order to distinguish between two competing types of 'transcendental theology'".[2]

Kant defined the relationship between ontotheology and cosmostheology as follows:

"Transcendental theology aims either at inferring the existence of a Supreme Being from a general experience, without any closer reference to the world to which this experience belongs, and in this case it is called cosmotheology; or it endeavours to cognize the existence of such a being, through mere conceptions, without the aid of experience, and is then termed ontotheology."[1]

The problem of transcendental theology as developed by Kant is that human reason is not capable of proving God's existence. Kant solves this problem by appealing to moral symbolism. Thus, Kant describes God as a moral trinity: holy lawgiver, good governor, and just judge.[3]

Notes and references
  1. Kant, Immanuel, Critique of Pure Reason, Section VII: Critique of all Theology based upon Speculative Principles of Reason.
  2. Thomson, Iain Donald (2005). Heidegger on Ontotheology. Technology and the Politics of Education. Cambridge University Press. p. 7. ISBN 0521851157.
  3. For details, see Stephen Palmquist, "Kant's Perspectival Foundation for Critical Theology", Part Two of Kant's Critical Religion (Aldershot: Ashgate, 2000).


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