Transcendental theology is a term invented by Immanuel Kant to describe a method of discerning theological concepts.[1] Kant divided transcendental theology into "ontotheology" and cosmotheology, both of which he also invented, "in order to distinguish between two competing types of 'transcendental theology'".[2]
Kant defined the relationship between ontotheology and cosmostheology as follows:
"Transcendental theology aims either at inferring the existence of a Supreme Being from a general experience, without any closer reference to the world to which this experience belongs, and in this case it is called cosmotheology; or it endeavours to cognize the existence of such a being, through mere conceptions, without the aid of experience, and is then termed ontotheology."[1]
A critique of transcendental theology as developed by Kant is that it is argued that human reason is not capable of proving God's existence[citation needed]. Kant solves this problem by appealing to moral symbolism. Thus, Kant describes God as a moral trinity: holy lawgiver, good governor, and just judge.[3]
See also
- Natural theology – Theology reliant on rational and empirical arguments
Notes and references
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