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Religion Atheism

Prometheus Rebound

The Irony of Atheism

by (author) Joseph C. McLelland

Publisher
CCSR, Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Initial publish date
Jan 1989
Category
Atheism, Folklore & Mythology, Theism
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9780889206960
    Publish Date
    Jan 1989
    List Price
    $32.95
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780889209749
    Publish Date
    Jan 1989
    List Price
    $34.99

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Description

Modern atheism is a further act in the ancient drama of Prometheus vs Zeus. This book argues that the antagonism is false, as proved by the "irony": in which atheism turns into antitheism, transferring divine qualities to Humanity. The drama is framed by the "classicla dilemma," a conflict of wills: Tyrant and Rebel. The Unbinding of Prometheus is traced through Western history, to the Enlightenment "death of God," both speculative (Hegel) and practical (Marx). Finally, four types of "idols" are examined, in which Prometheus is rebound: Freud's Oedipus, Nietzsche's Dionysus, Camus' Sisyphus and Sartre's Orestes. The revision of both theism and atheism demands re-casting Zeus and Prometheus, breaking the impasse of heteronomy/autonomy and omnipotence/free will. Only thus may we affirm Humanity without denying God.

About the author

Joseph C. McLelland is McConnell Professor of the Philosophy of Religion and Dean of the Faculty of Religious Studies, McGill University. His writings include The Visible Words of God: The Sacramental Theology of Peter Martyr Vermigli, The Reformation and its Significance Today, Life and Eucharistic Texts of Vermigli, and numerous articles.

Joseph C. McLelland's profile page