Badiou and Theology

by Frederiek Depoortere

The French philosopher Alain Badiou (born 1937), is one of the main representatives of a recent philosophical homage to Saint Paul. Yet, Badiou is not a believer in the traditional sense, let alone a Christian philosopher. On the contrary, he rejects transcendence and pleads for a radical this-worldliness.

This does not mean, however, that his work is of no use to theologians, though a theological engagement with him will necessarily take some time. This book takes the first steps in that direction. It focuses on Badiou's ontology, because his challenge to theology, and more in particular to the doctrine of God, is to be found at this level of his system. The starting point is Badiou's claim that true religion and true faith are no longer possible. This claim is evaluated in three parts: the theological context in which ontology becomes necessary; why we should turn to Badiou as a plausible source for such an ontology; and Badiou's atheist stance and its implications. Depoortere shows that Badiou's atheist ontology can nevertheless be opened towards God.

168 pages, Paperback

First published November 17, 2009

Reviews

[Tucker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was dry, densely written, and without context as to why it matters. (Presumably I once knew why it mattered to me, but the sales receipt inside the book is seven years old, and, having forgotten why I once bought it, today I was unsure what I should do with the information inside it.)

Badiou wants less religion and more mathematics. He believes that set theory disproves God. (pp. 16, 126) According to the author, “Badiou’s atheist version of set theory is based on the axiomatic, and thus unfounded, decision of ruling out those paradoxical sets which result in incoherency.” (p. 21) Badiou takes a stricter position than some “antirealist” philosophers who say that faith can exist without belief (that is, that you can have a relationship with God even if you don’t believe there is a God). (p. 36) Badiou maintains, rather, that disbelieving in God rules out religion more generally.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting, but didn't really go as deep as I hoped. It seems to engage only a very narrow slice of Badiou's project. It does, though, raise some interesting aspects of Badiou's discussion of God. I also appreciated the careful attention to Cantor and his motivations and explorations. What a fascinating guy.

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent introduction to Badiou's ontology and what is at stake in the debate. Depoortere, although not sympathetic, is honest and mostly fair in his presentation. I recommend this work before reading Being and Event, Number and Numbers, and Badiou's other ontological writings.