Barth and rationality: Critical realism in theology (Karl Barth)

The purpose of this dissertation is to advance onto new ground and there defend Bruce L. McCormack's thesis that the proper interpretation of the work of Karl Barth understands him as a critically realistic dialectical theologian.; Scientific realism, the form of critical realism current in discussions in the philosophy of science, is examined closely. General characteristics of critical realism are adduced and a scheme for recognizing it in various forms proposed. Honest attention is given to postmodern, nonfoundational and anti-realistic critique. Some critically realistic issues in the philosophical problem of rationality are examined. This constitutes background for the assertion that Barth's theology is properly, if anachronistically, called critically realistic.; The history of German idealism from Kant to the neo-Kantians is briefly examined with particular attention to those matters which stimulate a realist reaction. Barth's return from the absolute idealism of the Marburg neo-Kantianism to a plainer reading of Kant was a critically realistic developmental move. Barth's own interpretation of Kant in his later writings has a strong critically realistic flavor.; Barth's doctrine of revelation is explained as critically realistic by reference to his use of Kant with special attention to the manner in which Barth understands revelation to exceed the Kantian limits on possible knowledge. The Realdialektik of the divine veiling and unveiling in revelation is the source of Barth's critical realism. Barth's essay “Fate and Idea in Theology” is examined closely. Barth is only critically realistic about the knowledge of God, as a consequence of the doctrine of grace, and not because critical realism is the nature of human knowledge and must, therefore, apply to the knowledge of God.; The critically realistic reading of Barth is used to answer some long standing criticisms of Barth's theology: that it is a form of revelational positivism, that it is inherently irrational, and that it is inherently subjectivistic.; A great deal of mathematics is used, rather idiosyncratically, in the illustrative and explanatory material.