Value and natural order in the philosophy of William Temple

• Main Author: Wilkinson, Michael Bernard
• Published: University of Surrey 1990
• Subjects: 100; Philosophy
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.253504

The thesis is an examination of the philosophy of William Temple (1881-1944), concentrating on the personalism which especially characterises his entire philosophical outlook, but which is particularly apparent in his treatment of value. The areas addressed are: 1. The world-picture which underlies Temple's thought. 2. The place of value in the universe, the nature of value, and the relationship between the self and values. 3. Temple's non-propositional approach to revelation. 4. The concept of value in personality, the human person, and the person in community and Christian fellowship. S. God, the supreme personal will, and Temple's justification of his existence. 6. The ethical consequences of Temple's philosophy: the concept of Natural Order and its relationship to situation ethics and to the Natural Law tradition. In analysing these concepts, particular attention is paid to Temple's relationship to both the British Idealist tradition and to Process Theology. Detailed consideration is also given to traditional philosophical questions which concerned Temple, especially the Problem of Evil, the Is/Ought question, and the extent to which the moral capacity is innate. Outlines of alternative approaches to these questions are given where this has appeared necessary.