The Idea of the Holy
London: Oxford University Press, 1958. First paperback edition. Softcover. Aubergine/fuchsia wraps with white lettering. 232 pp. with no illus. Unread but with age toning to page margins and a hint of shelf wear to covers. Item #156085
ISBN: 0195002105
"In contrast to his earlier books, which dealt primarily with the rational or cognitive analysis of religion, The Idea of the Holy is devoted to the “non-rational” or “supra-rational” aspects. Although Otto denies that religion is a form of “irrationalism,” he argues that the numinous state of mind constitutes the core of all religious beliefs and practices. This is because the religions of human beings are mysterious phenomena that cannot be reduced to systems of cognitive doctrines or ethical principles. Like the mystical thinkers of many religious traditions, he views the experience of “the Beyond” and “the Holy” as involving a sense of wonderment that cannot be satisfactorily expressed in human language or defended on the basis of rational theories. He readily admits that such a noncognitive view of religions necessarily means that any truth claims of religion cannot be assessed by way of logic or empirical methods." - from enotes.
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