Secularization

Part I. Introduction

1. Three Theses
Ulrich Steinvorth

2. Comparable Interpretations of Secularization
Ulrich Steinvorth

Part II. A New Secularization Thesis

3. Intrinsic Goals and Sphere-Immanent Rationalities
Ulrich Steinvorth

4. Religion and the Absolute
Ulrich Steinvorth

5. Moral and Metaphysical Norms
Ulrich Steinvorth

6. Authenticity in Ancient China, Rome, the Renaissance, and Marx
Ulrich Steinvorth

7. Montaigne’s Authenticity
Ulrich Steinvorth

8. Mortality and Montaignean Authenticity
Ulrich Steinvorth

9. A Naturalistic Proof of the Validity of the Authenticity Command
Ulrich Steinvorth

10. Three Comments on the Proof
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11. Thesis and Sub-theses
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Part III. Objections

12. Religion Cannot Be Perfected, Least of All by Authenticity
Ulrich Steinvorth

13. Claims on the Absolute Must Be Infallible
Ulrich Steinvorth

14. Weberian Rationalization Is a Hegelian Red Herring
Ulrich Steinvorth

15. Kierkegaard—But not Rational Metaphysics—Can Relate Us to the Absolute
Ulrich Steinvorth

16. Secular Societies Can Do Without Anything Absolute
Ulrich Steinvorth

17. Authenticity Is Asocial
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18. Secularization Is a Western Affair
Ulrich Steinvorth

Part IV. Epilog: Liberals’ Absolute

19. The Ambivalence of Secularization and of Nature
Ulrich Steinvorth

20. Rorty and the Enlightened Secular Faith
Ulrich Steinvorth

Avainsanat: Philosophy, Social Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, Moral Philosophy, Metaphysics