Transcendental theology

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

1. Kant, Immanuel, Critique of Pure Reason, Section VII: Critique of all Theology based upon Speculative Principles of Reason.
2. Thomson, Iain Donald (2005). Heidegger on Ontotheology. Technology and the Politics of Education. Cambridge University Press. p. "ontotheology"+and+"cosmotheology"+in+order+to+distinguish+between+two+opposing+kinds+of+"transcendental+theology"%22&pg=PA7 7. ISBN 0521851157.
3. For details, see Stephen Palmquist, "Kant's Perspectival Foundation for Critical Theology", Part Two of Kant's Critical Religion (Aldershot: Ashgate, 2000).