In 1940, William Ernest Hocking (1873-1966), professor of the history and philosophy of religion at Harvard University, proposed a model for the reconception of Christianity which would make of it a vehicle for the creation of world community. Hocking was convinced that the attempts at the "radical displacement" of other religions by Christianity which was the usual Christian mission effort, was a disservice to the universal religions and the living religions of indigenous peoples as well as to Christianity because it did not demand that Christian thinking continue to grow. A simple synthesis of other living religions was too "romantic" for Hocking. He opted for a "sharing process" which would result not only in an authentic conservation and reconception of Christianity, but of the other living religions as well. The question which guides this dissertation is whether or not Hocking's theory of the reconception of Christianity is a workable model which does make of it a harbinger of world community. Because experience plays such a major role in Hocking's theory the dissertation begins with key experiences of his life which contributed to his theory of reconception. It then moves to an explanation of his philosophy of religion, variously described as idealistic-mysticism, or philosophical mysticism, because for Hocking the mystic is key to his reconception theory. The essence of Christianity which must be retained in any reconception of it is explained in the terms chosen by Hocking, and the need he saw for a de-westernization of Christianity is explored. Hocking's model of reconception is then described. The concluding chapter demonstrates the applicability of Hocking's model not only for Christianity but for the other living religions. This dissertation does not propose a new model for the reconception of Christianity but has the far more modest aim of elaborating on one that is already available, and that is consistent, realistic, and, with a few corrections, might be of great utility in an era which increasingly needs to deal with personal, national, and religious individualisms which often hamper rather than effect world community. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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Thesis advisor: David M. Rasmussen* / Thesis advisor: Oliva Blanchette / The French philosopher Gabriel Marcel (1889-1973) was deeply influenced by the classical tradition of American philosophy. Marcel's first essays focused upon the philosophy of Josiah Royce (1855-1916). Royce impressed Marcel due to his ability to engage in bold, imaginative construction and yet remain "faithful to the empirical tradition, which he deepened and enriched...." Marcel was also deeply influenced by William Ernest Hocking's (1873-1966) major work, The Meaning of God in Human Experience which, for Marcel, not only reaffirmed the religious dimension of human experience but also served as "an advance in the direction of that metaphysical realism toward which I resolutely tended." Lastly, Marcel conducted a sustained personal and philosophical relationship with Henry G. Bugbee Jr. (1915-1999) of the University of Montana. Marcel first met Bugbee at Harvard University while delivering the William James Lectures in 1961. Willard Van Orman Quine described Bugbee as "the ultimate exemplar of the examined life" and Calvin Schrag described him as "one of the more marginalized philosophers in America." Part I consists of a comprehensive examination of Marcel's philosophy, focusing upon the manner in which his thought exhibits a strong sense of "ontological continuity" - establishing a fundamental relationship between human being and the ontological. According to Marcel "Finite thought is continually attracted by a beyond, by Another, which eternally escapes it." Part I will be followed by three sections (Parts II-IV) devoted to the relationship between Marcel and the thought of Royce, Hocking, and Bugbee respectively. The relationship between Marcel and these philosophers is based largely upon their mutual critique of abstract thinking and a shared belief in the existence of a decisive connection between human being and Being. The thesis will conclude with Part V, entitled "The Religious Dimension of Experience," which depicts the manner in which a select cadre of American philosophers has been successful in drawing out the philosophical implications of Marcel's project. As Marcel indicated, "Perhaps the most important task on the plane of speculation is to deepen once again the notion of life itself in the light of the highest and most genuine religious thought." / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2009. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Philosophy.

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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University.

Thesis (M.A.)--Ohio State University, 1963. / Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, November, 2005. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 156-162)

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, March, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Ohio University, March, 2006. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 96-99)

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