The Tao and the Daimon: Segments of a Religious Inquiry - Hardcover

Neville, Robert Cummings

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0873956613 ISBN 13: 9780873956611

Publisher: State University of New York Press, 1983

Synopsis

The Tao and the Daimon examines a central theme in religious studies: the question of the authority and authenticity of traditional religious faith and practice (tao) in light of the challenge from the spirit of critical reason (Socrates' daimon). From a non-judgmental, historical standpoint, it develops the dialectical relation between religion and rational inquiry. Neville employs a philosophical system to set a task for reflection, making it possible to see how Eastern and Western religious traditions differ, overlap, contradict, and reinforce one another. The central chapters are detailed studies of theologically interesting elements in Christianity, Buddhism, taoism, and Neoconfucianism.

How can one judge of the higher truths of another religion without having practiced it? Can the tao and the daimon, after all, be reconciled purely in the conceptual realm of speculative philosophy? Neville recognizes the very real differences between conceptualizing and practicing and the very real differences in understanding that can result. At the same time, he transcends the problem by identifying (and exemplifying in his own work) speculative philosophy as a tao in itself, "a new locus of religious significance, our own scholarly interpretation, new creations of the holy out of practiced scholarly piety toward the old."

About this title

Review:

“Neville’s most mature work, covering 20 years of deliberations on philosophical theology....This is perhaps the first important work on the interplay between the tao and the daimon.” ― Kenneth K. Inada

“Neville’s methodology is flawless....His sketch of a tao which would enable the religious scholar to penetrate non-Western religious insights in a meaningful way without having to become a devotee of the religion in question is brilliant.” ― Elizabeth M. Kraus

About this edition

• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Publication date: 1983
• ISBN 10: 0873956613
• ISBN 13: 9780873956611
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 281