Abstract
This article argues against the rationality of ‘hopeful universalism’, the components of which include the unconditional considered hope
that soteriological universalism is true, and an absence of belief that
it is true. Some proponents maintain that there is simply not enough
evidence to affirm or deny universalism; others believe that it is
probably false but nonetheless hope they are mistaken. This article
argues that worshippers of God who maintain unconditional considered
hope in the truth of universalism ought either to believe universalism
or seek to abandon their hope in its truth, depending (in part) on how
their confidence in the considerations that steer them away from
universalism measure up against the beliefs that underwrite their hope
in its truth. For such people, neither withholding belief in
universalism nor believing that it is false while continuing to hope
that it is true is a rational option.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Religious Studies |
Volume | First View |
Early online date | 6 Oct 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 6 Oct 2020 |