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Herman Dooyeweerd: Christian Philosopher of State and Civil Society
The twentieth-century Dutch philosopher Herman Dooyeweerd (1894-1977) left behind an impressive canon of philosophical works and has continued to influence a scholarly community in Europe and North America, which has extended, critiqued, and applied his thought in many academic fields. Jonathan Chaplin introduces Dooyeweerd for the first time to many English readers by critically expounding Dooyeweerd's social and political thought and by exhibiting its pertinence to contemporary civil society debates.
Chaplin begins by contextualizing Dooyeweerd's thought, first in relation to present-day debates and then in relation to the work of the Dutch philosopher Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920). Chaplin outlines the distinctive theory of historical and cultural development that serves as an essential backdrop to Dooyeweerd's substantive social philosophy; examines Dooyeweerd's notion of societal structural principles; and sets forth his complex classification of particular types of social structure and their various interrelationships. Chaplin provides a detailed examination of Dooyeweerd's theory of the state, its definitive nature, and its proper role vis-a-vis other elements of society. Dooyeweerd's contributions, Chaplin concludes, assist us in mapping the ways in which state and civil society should be related to achieve justice and the public good.
"This superb study simultaneously introduces and critically engages the work of one of the most important and neglected Christian thinkers of the twentieth century, while showing its connection to the pluralist tradition and bringing it to bear on the contemporary debate about civil society. More than just providing an overview of Dooyeweerd's thought, it seeks to advance his intellectual project and show its contemporary relevance. It is essential reading not only for those interested in the neo-Calvinist tradition, but for anyone interested in Christian social thought, structural pluralism, or the nature and fate of civil society." --Kenneth L. Grasso, Texas State University
"The subtlety, scope, and insightfulness of Dooyeweerd's social philosophy were unparalleled among Protestant thinkers in the past century. Yet his contributions are not well known. Jonathan Chaplin promises to remedy this neglect. His lucid and masterful study brings a new and transformative voice to contemporary debates about the future of a democratic society." --Lambert Zuidervaart, Institute for Christian Studies and University of Toronto
"Finally, an authoritative book that brings to brilliant light and life Herman Dooyeweerd's Christian philosophy of law, politics, and society. For the past half century, the profound and original teachings of this prolific Dutch sage have been lost on most readers. Jonathan Chaplin has rescued Dooyeweerd from his own obscure prose, poor translations, and cultic mystique to reveal his astonishing and engaging insights into our lives as persons and peoples, rulers and citizens, preachers and parishioners, parents and children. This will be the go-to book on Dooyeweerd for many years to come." --John Witte, Jr., Emory University
"Herman Dooyeweerd was both deep and original. Much of his writing is an articulation of rather undeveloped lines of thought in his Dutch predecessor, Abraham Kuyper. In the course of his exposition, Chaplin effectively highlights Dooyeweerd's significance for a theory of civil society and for present-day social theory in general." --Nicholas Wolterstorff, Yale University and the Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Virginia
Chaplin begins by contextualizing Dooyeweerd's thought, first in relation to present-day debates and then in relation to the work of the Dutch philosopher Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920). Chaplin outlines the distinctive theory of historical and cultural development that serves as an essential backdrop to Dooyeweerd's substantive social philosophy; examines Dooyeweerd's notion of societal structural principles; and sets forth his complex classification of particular types of social structure and their various interrelationships. Chaplin provides a detailed examination of Dooyeweerd's theory of the state, its definitive nature, and its proper role vis-a-vis other elements of society. Dooyeweerd's contributions, Chaplin concludes, assist us in mapping the ways in which state and civil society should be related to achieve justice and the public good.
"This superb study simultaneously introduces and critically engages the work of one of the most important and neglected Christian thinkers of the twentieth century, while showing its connection to the pluralist tradition and bringing it to bear on the contemporary debate about civil society. More than just providing an overview of Dooyeweerd's thought, it seeks to advance his intellectual project and show its contemporary relevance. It is essential reading not only for those interested in the neo-Calvinist tradition, but for anyone interested in Christian social thought, structural pluralism, or the nature and fate of civil society." --Kenneth L. Grasso, Texas State University
"The subtlety, scope, and insightfulness of Dooyeweerd's social philosophy were unparalleled among Protestant thinkers in the past century. Yet his contributions are not well known. Jonathan Chaplin promises to remedy this neglect. His lucid and masterful study brings a new and transformative voice to contemporary debates about the future of a democratic society." --Lambert Zuidervaart, Institute for Christian Studies and University of Toronto
"Finally, an authoritative book that brings to brilliant light and life Herman Dooyeweerd's Christian philosophy of law, politics, and society. For the past half century, the profound and original teachings of this prolific Dutch sage have been lost on most readers. Jonathan Chaplin has rescued Dooyeweerd from his own obscure prose, poor translations, and cultic mystique to reveal his astonishing and engaging insights into our lives as persons and peoples, rulers and citizens, preachers and parishioners, parents and children. This will be the go-to book on Dooyeweerd for many years to come." --John Witte, Jr., Emory University
"Herman Dooyeweerd was both deep and original. Much of his writing is an articulation of rather undeveloped lines of thought in his Dutch predecessor, Abraham Kuyper. In the course of his exposition, Chaplin effectively highlights Dooyeweerd's significance for a theory of civil society and for present-day social theory in general." --Nicholas Wolterstorff, Yale University and the Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Virginia
- GenresPhilosophy
464 pages, Hardcover
First published January 15, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 13, 2017
Quite the engagement with Dooyeweerd's social and political thought. I forgot how thick Dooyeweerd's philosophy can be. Chaplin has done a masterful job at making Dooyeweerd's thought clear. There are, although, distinctions galore!
I have always had some intuitions that a "sphere sovereignty" approach to politics could be a good option to consider in our current climate. This book helped stretch out and expound this intuition. Ultimately, Chaplin's appropriation of Dooyeweerd gives a way through universalism and individualism, neoliberal/conserveratiism and liberal/social democratic thought, while not throwing away the role of the state. Whether it could work in reality in America? Doubt it. But it at least gives me a way forward to think about my own political decisions and actions.
If anything, this will be an interesting dialogue partner as I enter my Constitutional law classes. His (re)elaborations on the definitions of 'civil society', 'public interest', and the role of the state were worth the read.
Also if you want a neat introduction to Dooyeweerd's philosophy, the first few chapters are outstanding.
I am happy I read it! Very Insightful. Well done, Jonathan Chaplin! It is, however, probably not for your casual reader.
I have always had some intuitions that a "sphere sovereignty" approach to politics could be a good option to consider in our current climate. This book helped stretch out and expound this intuition. Ultimately, Chaplin's appropriation of Dooyeweerd gives a way through universalism and individualism, neoliberal/conserveratiism and liberal/social democratic thought, while not throwing away the role of the state. Whether it could work in reality in America? Doubt it. But it at least gives me a way forward to think about my own political decisions and actions.
If anything, this will be an interesting dialogue partner as I enter my Constitutional law classes. His (re)elaborations on the definitions of 'civil society', 'public interest', and the role of the state were worth the read.
Also if you want a neat introduction to Dooyeweerd's philosophy, the first few chapters are outstanding.
I am happy I read it! Very Insightful. Well done, Jonathan Chaplin! It is, however, probably not for your casual reader.
June 7, 2015
Very helpful introduction to Dooyeweerd's social thought in conversation with wider academic discussions of civil society. Still a little "inside baseball," however, and Epilogue is a tease that feels like it ends 3 pages too soon.
January 5, 2021
Essa é uma excelente obra sobre a teoria social e a filosofia política de Herman Dooyeweerd.
Chaplin mostra como Dooyeweerd buscou reconstruir o conceito de sociedade civil a partir de uma filosofia cristã e plural. O autor apresenta os conceitos de esferas modais, estruturas de individualidade, entrelaçamentos encápticos e soberania das esferas em Dooyeweerd. A partir desses conceitos, foi possível a Dooyeweerd sugerir princípios estruturais próprios de cada esfera social, vinculando-as entre si através de conexões entre comunidades, instituições e indivíduos.
Dooyeweerd rejeitou perspectivas universalista e individualista da sociedade. Criticou os reducionismos modernos da teoria social e política. E reposicionou o Estado e a justiça em sentido negativo e positivo. Em Dooyeweerd, a sociedade civil com suas instituições intermediárias deve assumir um papel integrador, protetor e transformador. Chaplin, ao longo da obra, também apresenta as críticas às formulações dooyeweerdianas sugerindo atualizações.
Chaplin mostra como Dooyeweerd buscou reconstruir o conceito de sociedade civil a partir de uma filosofia cristã e plural. O autor apresenta os conceitos de esferas modais, estruturas de individualidade, entrelaçamentos encápticos e soberania das esferas em Dooyeweerd. A partir desses conceitos, foi possível a Dooyeweerd sugerir princípios estruturais próprios de cada esfera social, vinculando-as entre si através de conexões entre comunidades, instituições e indivíduos.
Dooyeweerd rejeitou perspectivas universalista e individualista da sociedade. Criticou os reducionismos modernos da teoria social e política. E reposicionou o Estado e a justiça em sentido negativo e positivo. Em Dooyeweerd, a sociedade civil com suas instituições intermediárias deve assumir um papel integrador, protetor e transformador. Chaplin, ao longo da obra, também apresenta as críticas às formulações dooyeweerdianas sugerindo atualizações.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews