Philosopher of Law Dawid Bunikowski at the University of Eastern Finland (School of Theology) and Professor Alberto Puppo at ITAM Law School in México are the editors of a new book called Why Religion? Towards a Critical Philosophy of Law, Peace and God.
“The topic is new, and there are only few books like this one in the field of law and religion. Our approach is uniquely critical, internationally oriented and philosophical,” Bunikowski notes.
The book explores the relationship between religion and law. According to Bunikowski, it is important to analyse religion by associating it with other concepts in order to elucidate its role in the contemporary world.
“In our book, scholars address religion as part of their own culture. Our authors come from Christian, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim and Jewish backgrounds.”
The authors analyse religious rituals and moral norms imposed by different religion, as well as the role of religion as a mediator of peace and as a political discourse.
It is generally accepted that peace can be achieved through international legal instruments. The book, however, explores the idea of achieving peace through religion.
“We want to give food for thought for the idea of whether there always is a religious aspect to law. Is law founded on the idea created by different religions that humanity has the duty to protect itself from violence? Is the legal concept of peace ultimately a relatively old idea that has been present in different religions for centuries?”
Why Religion? Towards a Critical Philosophy of Law, Peace and God. Dawid Bunikowski and Alberto Puppo (eds), Springer 2020 https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030354831#aboutBook
For further information, please contact: Dawid Bunikowski, dawid.bunikowski(at)uef.fi