On the moral-existential facet of religious studies today

Abstract

This article argues that part of the purpose of religious studies is to facilitate the reflexive exploration of moral-existential frameworks of religious meaning in view of contemporary socio-cultural tensions, problems and contradictions. I argue for a non-theological view of religious studies capable of examining issues of religious truth, value and purpose, though quite different from theology. The first section of this study takes up the moral-existential facet of religious studies in relation to the modern fear of meaninglessness as a socio-cultural motivation for analyzing sources of religious insight. To do so thoughtfully yet nontheologically, however, requires a new mode of critical deliberation that can stimulate creative speculation which is found in Foucault's notion of "transgressive transformation" as the critical approach most germane to the moral-existential facet of religious studies. By way of demonstrating the value of this critical design, section three sets out to untangle the postmodern contingencies motivating Habermas' peculiar assessment of religious life and thought, where the religious serves to keep postmodern philosophy at bay—a tactic that rebounds to betray Habermas' own want of a religiously informed social ethic. In order to meet that want, section four presents a reflection on Levinas' unique view of the religio-ethical as that which transgressively transforms Habermas' position. On the hither side of this transformation, I suggest, resides a future work for the moral-existential facet of religious studies today as a critical theory of religious insight.