Religion and rational philosophy

coming of age

Nathaniel Laor

pp. 91-129

in: I. C. Jarvie, Nathaniel Laor (eds), Critical rationalism, metaphysics and science, Berlin, Springer, 1995

Abstract

The impetus to write this essay on the problem of the reconcilability of religious experience and human rationality is both personal and professional. I had a parochial upbringing and as a professional I am a student of science, philosophy and psychoanalysis. I have to be true both to scientific objectivity and to my own experience — even though I do not subscribe to any parochial religion. And this professional and personal predicament is both invoked and potentially alleviated by the fields of science, philosophy and psychoanalysis, for these fields share the aim to promote individual freedom and rationality so that they be in accord with reality. My concern here is with the disrespectful rejection — intended or not — of other people's religion. I contend that excessive rationalism leads to contempt and that even the mere effort to institute safeguards against dogmatism breeds contempt. This is not to preach dogmatism but to espouse anti-dogmatism all the same. Some dogmas are illiberal and so they are objectionable but not necessarily as dogmas. Dogmatism is best left alone.