The Concept of God in John Dewey's Thought

Abstract

<p>This thesis is an exposition and critical evaluation of the naturalistic concept of God developed by John Dewey in his writings. Included in the examination is an analysis devoted to clarifying mistaken opinions regarding Dewey's attitude toward religion, his reason for entering into the subject, the critical problem for him, and his attitude toward traditional conceptions of God. An examination of his arguments rejecting the supernatural status of an antecedent existing reality and a modern theistic concept is undertaken to show that: (1) This leads him to formulate a concept of God free from the deficiencies he ascribes to them. (2) His own criticisms can in turn be levelled against his positive construction. It is maintained, in conclusion, that his concept of God is incompatible with his professed naturalism.</p>