Abstract
Developing Merleau-Ponty's notion of perceptual faith, philosophical faith is presented as a supplement to religious faith as a means of strengthening the ability of parents to effectively guide their children while also leading fulfilling lives. Philosophical faith is already present in our lives so we do not need to develop it from nothing. We strengthen it by raising our awareness of its role in our lives. For parents, this is an essential quality, akin to a sixth sense, that enables them to make sound decisions.
Notes
1. In The visible and the invisible, French phenomenologist CitationMaurice Merleau-Ponty develops the concept of perceptual faith as a necessary precursor to scientific knowledge. In discussing philosophical faith, I am expanding the meaning of CitationMerleau-Ponty notion of perceptual faith to apply to areas of our life beyond scientific inquiry.
3. For an illuminating discussion of the relationship between ethics and religious faith in CitationKierkegaard, see Fear and trembling. For an excellent commentary on Kierkegaard see Transcendence and self-transcendence by CitationMerold Westphal. For a more challenging and provocative discussion of Kierkegaard's meditations on faith from a Derridian deconstruction point of view see The prayers and tears of Jacques Derrida: Religion without religion, by CitationJohn Caputo.
4. In the field: The quest for the secret force of the universe, CitationLynne McTaggart documents the scientific version of what Emerson is referring to as the divine inspiration of the aboriginal self.