Beyond Babel: Religion and Linguistic Pluralism

This volume is the first attempt to investigate explicitly how the multiplicity of religions and forms of spirituality interconnect with the pluralism of languages, including scientific codes, formal languages, and artistic expressions. In a journey "beyond Babel", the volume explores how religious and linguistic pluralisms enter into polyphonic relations, how they co-evolve and grow together, and why they clash. This text provides the setting for a dialogue on a rich variety of religious languages and traditions, including Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Jainism, and Christianity. The chapters explore how these traditions can venture into new interreligious paths, how sacred meanings translate into vernacular speeches, how religious identities and scientific notions interacts, what role emotional expressions play in interfaith encounters, and the impact of Artificial Intelligence on beliefs. The book is authored by esteemed senior scholars, established researchers, and exceptional junior doctorate holders whose expertise spans across religious studies, the history of science, philosophy, fine arts, theology, linguistics, computer science, and legal studies. This volume contributes to interfaith studies and teaching, to sociology and philosophy of religion, and to the history and anthropology of religion and the sacred arts. It is intended to reach students, researchers, instructors, and professionals alike.

Autorentext

Andrea Vestrucci teaches and conducts research for the Department of Applied Computer Science at the University of Bamberg, Germany (Chair of AI Systems Engineering). He is also a Research Professor at Starr King School, Oakland, CA, and a Privat-Dozent at the University of Geneva. He dovetails the philosophical and computational approaches to Artificial Intelligence by exploring metaphysical arguments and cognitive models in automated reasoning environments. He focuses on ethical issues raised by intelligent systems in interaction with groups and communities' values and decision-making processes. Formerly Professor at the Federal University of Ceará, Brazil, and Researcher at UC Berkeley (Consortium for Interdisciplinary Research), he is the recipient of the Australian Award, and a laureate of the Academic Society of Geneva.