Papers by Mathanja Berger
Philosophia reformata, Mar 14, 2020
Students and philosophers alike often find Dooyeweerd’s writings unclear and inaccessible, and th... more Students and philosophers alike often find Dooyeweerd’s writings unclear and inaccessible, and the ideas expressed in them obscure and difficult to grasp. In this paper I will first explore the issue of unclarity in Dooyeweerd’s work—for example, what makes Dooyeweerdian writings difficult to understand? Why is it that his meaning is often unclear? And does this imply that something is (philosophically) wrong with his writings? Second, and as a case in point regarding unclarity in Dooyeweerd’s work, I will examine an important distinction drawn in Reformational philosophy, namely, between naive experience and theoretical thinking. In his paper “The Amsterdam Philosophy: A Preliminary Critique,” philosopher and theologian John Frame criticizes Dooyeweerd for his unclear writings and for drawing an implausibly sharp distinction between naive experience and theoretical thinking. Assessing Frame’s critique will serve as a framework for the discussion of these two related issues.
Tijdschrift Voor Nederlandse Taal-en Letterkunde, Feb 2, 2011
Although traditionally considered a chivalric romance, Floris ende Blancefloer is little concerne... more Although traditionally considered a chivalric romance, Floris ende Blancefloer is little concerned with chivalric issues; it chiefly narrates the idyllic love story of Floris, a young Spanish prince, and his beloved Blancefloer. This article discusses how the absence of chivalric elements has affected the nature and function of the hero's quest and character development in comparison to more traditional Middle Dutch chivalric romances.
Philo, 2013
Herman Philipse argues that Christian belief cannot be warranted in Alvin Plantinga's sense. More... more Herman Philipse argues that Christian belief cannot be warranted in Alvin Plantinga's sense. More specifically, he thinks it is impossible for intellectually responsible and modern believers to hold their religious beliefs in the manner of properly basic beliefs, not on the basis of explicit evidence or arguments. In this paper, we consider his objections to Plantinga's work and argue that they all fail.
Tijdschrift Voor Nederlandse Taal-en Letterkunde, 2011
Although traditionally considered a chivalric romance, Floris ende Blancefloer is little concerne... more Although traditionally considered a chivalric romance, Floris ende Blancefloer is little concerned with chivalric issues; it chiefly narrates the idyllic love story of Floris, a young Spanish prince, and his beloved Blancefloer. This article discusses how the absence of chivalric elements has affected the nature and function of the hero's quest and character development in comparison to more traditional Middle Dutch chivalric romances.
Philosophia Reformata, 2020
Students and philosophers alike often find Dooyeweerd’s writings unclear and inaccessible, and th... more Students and philosophers alike often find Dooyeweerd’s writings unclear and inaccessible, and the ideas expressed in them obscure and difficult to grasp. In this paper I will first explore the issue of unclarity in Dooyeweerd’s work—for example, what makes Dooyeweerdian writings difficult to understand? Why is it that his meaning is often unclear? And does this imply that something is (philosophically) wrong with his writings? Second, and as a case in point regarding unclarity in Dooyeweerd’s work, I will examine an important distinction drawn in Reformational philosophy, namely, between naive experience and theoretical thinking. In his paper “The Amsterdam Philosophy: A Preliminary Critique,” philosopher and theologian John Frame criticizes Dooyeweerd for his unclear writings and for drawing an implausibly sharp distinction between naive experience and theoretical thinking. Assessing Frame’s critique will serve as a framework for the discussion of these two related issues.
Philo, 2013
Herman Philipse argues that Christian belief cannot be warranted in Alvin Plantinga's sense. More... more Herman Philipse argues that Christian belief cannot be warranted in Alvin Plantinga's sense. More specifically, he thinks it is impossible for intellectually responsible and modern believers to hold their religious beliefs in the manner of properly basic beliefs, not on the basis of explicit evidence or arguments. In this paper, we consider his objections to Plantinga's work and argue that they all fail.
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Papers by Mathanja Berger