September 5th, 2024 at 3:30pm- Honi Haber Memorial Library, Plaza Building Suite M108
The University of Colorado-Denver's Philosophy Department has invited Dr. Erica Ferg and Dr. Bryan Hall from Regis University to present to our community. They have taken their expertise in Religious Studies and Philosophy to jointly research this presentation tilted, "Orthodoxy, Orthopraxy, and Achieving a Kantian Moral Religion".
Abstract: "In the 1793 Religion within the Boundaries of Mere Reason (Religion), Kant argues that Christianity is the only public ‘moral religion’ (6:52). While a “public” religion is one that has been openly taught (6:145) and has the ‘visible form of a church’ created by human beings (6:152), a “moral” religion is one whose aim is ‘good life conduct’ (6:51) where ‘everyone must do as much as in his power to do’ (6:52). Even so, Kant recognizes that the history of Christianity has ‘nothing in any way to recommend it’ (6:130) as a moral religion. This is because Christianity has been consistently plagued by internecine conflicts over “orthodoxy” or what particular set of beliefs is appropriate for salvation. In order for Christianity to serve its purpose as a moral religion, these ecclesiastical differences must be eliminated in favor of a universal religious faith, one that is available to all rational persons (6:140). This would suggest that, for Kant, orthodoxy is an accidental feature of Christianity. In contrast, we will argue that orthodoxy (assent to a creed or doctrine) is an essential feature of Christianity. To eliminate orthodoxy, and the ecclesiastical differences that attend to it, would be to eliminate an inherent component of Christian salvation. This creates a puzzle as to whether and how a moral religion can be realized. In contrast to Kant, we will argue that a non-orthodoxic religion—perhaps an idealized orthopractic religion?—may be a better means toward achieving a Kantian moral religion."
Refreshments and conversation will follow the event.