Page "Reformational philosophy" Paragraph 22

Reformational philosophy rejects the view that theoretical thought, including philosophical thought, is autonomous.

The view that theoretical thinking is a purely rational activity ; has a purely rational ground, or requires no pre-theoretical conditions or commitments for its possibility cannot be sustained.

Any attempt to explain theoretical thought without acknowledging non-theoretical factors is destined to fall into irresolvable antinomies.

The conclusion of Dooyeweerd ’ s “ transcendental critique of theoretical thought ” is that philosophy cannot function without religious-deep presuppositions.

His analysis of the influence of religious “ ground-motives ” in the history of philosophy – particularly that of nature-freedom in modern humanism ( see Dooyeweerd 1997 Vol. 1 ) – is illustrative of this conclusion.