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http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=53469#.VMX5ZSzQrzE
ABSTRACT
The
task of this paper is to argue against the opponents of Habermas’
institutional translation proviso. The opponents argue against Habermas
on the grounds that 1) religious utterances are like cultural
differences, ethnic differences and philosophical differences, 2) there
are numerous cultures with their distinct religious potential truth
contents that are not scientifically demonstrable. The latter argument
is based on Occult/Paranormal experiences which are realities of life,
hence should be allowed into the public sphere. However, this paper
argues that religious utterances as Habermas articulates them are not
equiparable to cultural, ethnic and philosophical differences and also
that, Occult/Paranormal experiences are restricted to few adepts in it,
hence, lacking general accessibility. In mind of our increasingly
pluralistic society, there is need for common understanding of religious
potential truth contents for general agreement and unity of purpose.
Hence, we say that anyone who wants to bring religious potential truth
contents into the public sphere seems to have no option other than to
translate them into secular language for common understanding. It is
based on common understanding that participants in the public sphere
enter into a meaningful rational-critical debate resulting in mutual
agreement.
Cite this paper
References
Nweke, C. and Nwoye, C. (2015) An Inquiry into Habermas’ Institutional Translation Proviso. Open Journal of Philosophy, 5, 43-53. doi: 10.4236/ojpp.2015.51006.
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