Religion as a Realm of Possibilities: Dewey’s Philosophy of Religion

Year 2009, Issue: 7, 173 - 195, 01.04.2009

Celal Türer

Abstract

To understand what is “religious” in Dewey’s thoughts will help us to understand him better and will also show what those who have no concern about religious notions in philosophy are missing. Because according to Dewey religious quality in experience indicates the deepest and the most meaningful aspects of our existence. It is also the effect produced the better adjustment in life and its conditions. Since all meanings in human experience or constructive possibilities of life fall into this frame. When it is looked at from this perspective what is religious or (natural) piety means to head towards the universe of possibilities with courage and humbleness. This inclination must be towards a universe which is formed through the personal possibilities of experience of the individual not towards an existence which is a result of rigid doctrines in general or fear. The way of gaining whole self comprises being open to all opportunities rather than the opposite. Being open to all possibilities in return necessiates gaining deep and wide awareness of experience

Keywords

Dewey, religion, religious, realm of possibilities, imagination

İMKÂNLAR ALANI OLARAK DİN: DEWEY’İN DİN FELSEFESİ

Abstract

Sonuç olarak şunları söyleyebiliriz. Dewey’in düşüncelerinde dini olanı anlamak, onu daha iyi anlama yanında, felsefede dini olanı bir kaygı olarak taşımayan insanların ne kaybettiklerini gösterecektir. Çünkü Dewey’e göre deneyimdeki dini nitelik, varoluşumuzun en derin ve en anlamlı taraflarına işaret eder. O, ayrıca hayata ve bu hayatın şartlarına daha iyi adapte olmaya etki eder. Zira insan deneyimindeki tüm anlamlar ya da hayatın inşa edici imkânları bu çerçeveye denk düşer. Bu açıdan bakıldığında dini olan ya da dindarlık, cesaret ve tevazu ile imkânlar evrenine doğru yönelmektir. Bu yönelim, korku üzerinde zeminlenen ve genelde katı doktrinler ya da şekli sistemlerle sonuçlanan varoluşa değil; kişinin kendi deneyim imkânları içersinde zeminlenen kâinata doğru olmalıdır. Bütün benliği kazanma yolu imkânlara kapalı olmaktan çok açık olmayı içerir. İmkânlara açık olmak ise, deneyimin en geniş ve en derin farkındalığını kazanmayı gerektirir

Keywords

Dewey, din, dînî, imkânlar alanı, tahayyül

References

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