title: The First Church of Christ, Pragmatist: Christian Science and responsible optimism.
abstract: A common criticism of Christian Science is that it is neither Christian nor scientific. American psychologist and philosopher William James would not, I believe, share this view, even though he does make critical comments about Christian Science's orginator and her dogmatic followers. Following a suggestion of James, I distinguish two types of critical inquiry into Christian Science--outsider criticism and insider criticism--and show that the latter yields the better results. A pragmatic version of Christian Science can be offered that is distinct both from the myopic critics who malign it and from the dogmatic followers who recklessly adhere to it.
authors: St. Ambrose University, Davenport, IA 52803, USA. rueteniktaddl@sau.edu
authors: Tadd
authors: T
authors: Ruetenik
mesh_terms: D002834:Christian Science; D006801:Humans; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D014481:United States