The Nay Science offers a new perspective on the problem of scientific method in the human sciences. Taking German Indological scholarship on the Mahabharata and the Bhagavadgita as their example; Adluri and Bagchee develop a critique of the modern valorization of method over truth in the humanities. The authors show how; from its origins in eighteenth-century Neo-Protestantism onwards; the critical method was used as a way of making theological claims against rival philosophical and/or religious traditions. Via discussions of German Romanticism; the pantheism controversy; scientific positivism; and empiricism; they show how theological concerns dominated German scholarship on the Indian texts. Indology functions as a test case for wider concerns: the rise of historicism; the displacement of philosophical concerns from thinking; and the belief in the ability of a technical method to produce truth.Based on the historical evidence of the first part of the book; Adluri and Bagchee make a case in the second part for going beyond both the critical pretensions of modern academic scholarship and the objections of its post-structuralist or post-Orientalist critics. By contrasting German Indology with Plato's concern for virtue and Gandhi's focus on praxis; the authors argue for a conception of the humanities as a dialogue between the ancients and moderns and between eastern and western cultures.
#235743 in Books 2015-08-03Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.40 x 1.10 x 9.30l; .0 #File Name: 0199913781320 pages
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Fortunately; it likely never will come to passBy Spalding W. CoyoteJulie Ingersoll has a unique perspective in that she was for years involved in fundamentalist Christianity and even participated in peaceful actions against abortion clinics.What the book posits is that a very small group of Reconstructionists have had a much greater influence in the larger fundamentalist world than their numbers might suggest. The group's influence extends to pseudo historian David Barton; who has been on a committee on curriculum for Texas' public schools and whose writings are taken as gospel by millions (despite his last book being removed from the shelves by the publisher because even fundamentalist Christian historians said it was a load of bollocks).Reconstructionist thinking; according to Ingersoll; also heavily influences homeschool curriculum and the concept that the family (with father in charge) is solely responsible for educating children and that public schools are socialist and should be eliminated.Ingersoll traces this thinking back to R.J. Rushdoony and shows how his writings influenced others over the years.All in all it's a fascinating look into a world that hardly anyone in the U.S. realizes even exists. The broad Christian world -- including mainline and progressive flavors -- have largely not even heard of Rushdoony; and even some of the fundamentalists who teach his doctrines are unaware of the Reconstructionist origin of their teachings in some cases; according to the author. Their thinking even extends to far-right politicians who are not part of the Reconstructionist thought. But the end goal for the movement is for the U.S. to one day have a majority who share their beliefs -- a multigenerational effort that could take hundreds of years -- at which point their "godly" civil government will work toward their goals and Old Testament crimes will be punished by civil authorities with the punishments given in the Bible.Personally; I can't wait for their barbaric theocracy to begin. Fortunately; it likely never will come to pass. Maybe this book will help the broader public recognize the Reconstructionists' influence and their goals.6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. The Power and the Glory; ForeverBy Kevin L. NenstielChristian Reconstruction doesn’t believe the Rapture is nigh. They don’t expect to escape Earth next Thursday; they plan to live among us for generations; centuries; or longer. More important; they have concrete plans to rebuild America’s core values according to Christian Gospel and Levitical law. Even most non-seminarian Christians haven’t heard of them; but their influence touches Christian homeschooling; anti-abortion activism; Quiverfull; conservative politics; and beyond.In her introduction; Julie Ingersoll; professor of religious studies at the University of North Florida; describes her early upbringing in Reconstruction-affiliated conservative Christianity. She describes marrying into one of the movement’s leading families. She once fought for the cause; but eventually grew disgusted when the movement’s inherent violence became inarguable. Now she mixes scholarship; journalism; and history to expose a movement that specifically desires to change how you think.Ingersoll traces Christian Reconstruction’s roots to RJ Rushdoony; Presbyterian pastor and son of Armenian immigrants. After Rushdoony’s passing in 2001; the leadership mantle passed to his son-in-law; Gary North. Between them; Rushdoony and North have assiduously created a matrix of thought and philosophy literally encompassing every aspect of life. Their thoughts are voluble; their knowledge vast if slanted; and their influence touches many Christians who’d ordinarily find their teachings weird.Reconstructionist thought is firmly grounded in very old-school Five-Point Calvinism. Don’t worry if terms like “Five-Point Calvinism†sound opaque. Ingersoll writes for generalist audiences; and defines specialist terminology in vernacular English. She also defines very important words like “presuppositionalism†and “theonomy;†words she reuses generously. For our purposes; they mean: all knowledge comes from somewhere; and all authority derives from God. This matters for Reconstructionists’ all-encompassing philosophy.For starters; Reconstruction’s critics often lambaste them with terms like “theocratic†and “patriarchal.†While critics mean these terms insultingly; according to Ingersoll; Reconstructionists actually embrace these terms. Since they believe all authority derives from God; and expresses itself in family; church; and state; we already have theocracy; they say; secularists just don’t recognize God’s authority. And yes; they’re patriarchal: a stern father drives all Reconstructionist social order.Importantly; Reconstructionists deny political motivations. But unpacking their supposed apolitical leanings; we realize parties are just talking past one another. Here; as elsewhere; Reconstructionists use the same words outsiders use; but mean something altogether different. Because “politics;†for Reconstructionists; refers exclusively to state authority; which they consider limited; they believe they themselves aren’t political; although their entire philosophical structure is dedicated to the relationship between individuals and power.When Christian Reconstructionists intend to rebuild American society along Christian lines; they don’t mean what I would. They don’t highlight issues of justice; feeding the hungry; and comforting the afflicted. They want to establish society; meaning specifically America; according to strict Levitical law. Most Christians today feel squeamish about Leviticus; and apply it selectively at best. But Reconstructionists want to apply Leviticus culture-wide; through power structures beginning with household patriarchs.To accomplish these goals; Reconstructionists have established networks of Christian homeschoolers; political firebrands; and preachers who deliberately court problems with the state. It wouldn’t be accurate to say that every homeschooler; Tea Party sign-waver; and activist preacher is a Christian Reconstructionist. But the Reconstructionists have integrated themselves; often invisibly; into these circles. It’s impossible to pursue these goals without some Reconstructionism rubbing off on you.Besides just scholastically describing Reconstruction from historical sources; Ingersoll dives into their world. She meets founders of Reconstructionist private schools; attends Reconstructionist conferences and gatherings (many of which tellingly have the word “Vision†in their titles); and dives into their circles. She records their motivations directly from their mouths; expressing how they want the world to perceive them. This sometimes includes telling society one thing; while doing another.The world Ingersoll ultimately describes herein isn’t only religious; or political; or social. These words don’t convey the sweeping motivations that drive Reconstructionists. They literally believe they’re charged by God; from the Bible itself; to reorganize society according to God’s vision. They insist they’re only following the Bible literally; and everyone else is apostate; a common far-right Christian belief: they insist they’re only following God; everyone else is the problem.Secular audiences will read this book and feel chilled. They’ll see the pervasive ways a little-known sect has permeated discussions that aren’t specifically religious. They’ll recognize the violence implicit in a Levitical system. But Christian audiences should feel horrified at this book too. Because what Ingersoll describes isn’t limited to fringe elements. This shockingly violent; authoritarian message has permeated mainline Christianity; often unseen. And it’s changed our discourse; possibly forever.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. a very useful book and well worth reading alongside McVicar's ChristianBy J F G ShearmurThis is an interesting study of Reconstructionism and its influence. There seemed to me perhaps a danger that too much influence was being attributed to Rushdoony and other reconstructionists; without other sources - most obviously Schaeffer - being explored in more detail. But this is; nonetheless; a very useful book and well worth reading alongside McVicar's Christian Reconstruction
