Department of Philosophy

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Philip Goodchild

Professor of Religion and Philosophy, Faculty of Arts

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Biography

I joined the University of Nottingham in January 2000, having previously taught for six years at the University of Cumbria. I originally studied at Cambridge (Mathematics, followed by Theology and Religious Studies) and Lancaster (Religious Studies), where my postgraduate research focused on Gilles Deleuze and Friedrich Nietzsche. I have served as Head of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, and have been Professor of Religion and Philosophy since January 2008. I joined the Department of Philosophy in September 2016.

Expertise Summary

My main expertise is in continental, especially French, philosophy, and its relation to religion. I also study the philosophy of political economy. My main books include: Gilles Deleuze and the Question of Philosophy (1996), Deleuze and Guattari: An Introduction to the Politics of Desire (1996), Capitalism and Religion: The Price of Piety (2002), Theology of Money (2007/2009), Philosophy as a Spiritual Exercise (2013), Credit and Faith (2020), Economic Theology: Credit and Faith II (2020) and The Metaphysics of Trust (2021). I have edited books in continental philosophy of religion, including Rethinking Philosophy of Religion: Approaches from Continental Philosophy (2002), Difference in Philosophy of Religion (2003), and coedited with Hollis Phelps, Religion and European Philosophy: Key Thinkers from Kant to Žižek (2017).

Areas where I can offer specific supervision include continental philosophy of religion and philosophical approaches to capitalism. I also have broader expertise in philosophy of religion, European philosophy, history of philosophy, political philosophy and philosophical theology.

Teaching Summary

I am now responsible for:

  • Philosophy of Religions
  • Continental Philosophy

I have taught most areas of a Theology and Religious Studies curriculum over the years, combining approaches from philosophy and theories of religion, history of religious thought, and Christian theology. I now focus on continental philosophy, philosophy from within religions, and recent philosophical engagement with political economy.

Research Summary

My recent research has been on credit and faith, linking economics and theology. The aim here is to explore the dimensions of economic life that consist in credit, trust, and beliefs about justice… read more

Recent Publications

  • GOODCHILD, P, 2021. The Metaphysics of Trust: Credit and Faith III Rowman and Littlefield International.
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2020. Culture and Machine: Reframing Theology and Economics Modern Theology. 36(2),
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2020. Credit and Faith Rowman & Littlefield International.
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2020. Economic Theology: Credit and Faith II Rowman & Littlefield International.

I am on research leave with external funding from Autumn 2021 - Autumn 2023 (inclusive).

Current Research

My recent research has been on credit and faith, linking economics and theology. The aim here is to explore the dimensions of economic life that consist in credit, trust, and beliefs about justice alongside the dimensions of the life of faith that are enacted in the ways in which people cooperate and interact in their material and social existence. Economics and theology can be understood in and through each other.

Past Research

The philosophy of Gilles Deleuze was my main focus during the 1990s. While my first monograph concentrated on his metaphysics (Gilles Deleuze and the Question of Philosophy, 1996), the second explored Deleuze and Guattari's political thought (Deleuze and Guattari: An Introduction to the Politics of Desire, 1996). I also edited a special issue of Theory, Culture and Society (1997) to commemorate Deleuze's death, and have published several articles.

Subsequently I moved on to Continental philosophy of religion: I initiated the first international conference in this field in 2000, edited two books exploring this new approach, and contributed my own major monograph, Capitalism and Religion: The Price of Piety (2002). I have also been editor of the book series New Slant: Religion, Politics, Ontology with Duke University Press.

More recently, I have turned to religion and political economy: my book, Theology of Money (2007, US edition 2009), broke new ground as the first systematic study of the faith system inherent in credit that underlies global capitalism, giving a fresh account of capitalism itself. I have also explored the role of money in the recent global credit and sovereign debt crises, both of which I had predicted.

My own thought on these matters developed significantly on these matters since these crises emerged, leading to an understanding of the role of trust, in the form of credit and faith, at the heart of economic, political and religious life. This culminated in a trilogy: Credit and Faith (2020), Economic Theology (2020) and The Metaphysics of Trust (2021).

Previously, I continued to explore how thinking can be transformative, with a creative and exploratory work, Philosophy as a Spiritual Exercise: A Symposium (2013), heavily influenced by Plato, Kierkegaard and Weil.

Future Research

Transvaluation and the Practice of Metaphysics

(To be funded by the Widening Horizons in Philosophical Theology project at St Andrews)

Recent calls for a renewal of metaphysics in philosophical theology incorporate much that has been learned from the continental critique of metaphysics: thinking is formed by participation in a living tradition, physical embodiment in sensation, modes of spiritual practice, attentiveness to what is given and what is possible, awareness of political implications, and the fostering of trust and creativity in order to point towards a shared metaphysical reality.

The challenge taken up in this project is to move beyond recommending a renewal of metaphysics towards forming an adequate set of metaphysical concepts. This project aims to illuminate the practice of metaphysics by:

  1. developing and refining a method of transvaluation for constructive metaphysical thought in philosophical theology;
  2. exploring the potential of this method by applying it to a specific case: reformulating ontological arguments for the existence of God;
  3. exploring how this transvalued metaphysical account of God can deepen an understanding of truth (as giving orientation to thought) and sin (as arising from disorientated thought).

Transvaluation removes the binding force of existing concepts and values by creating a fresh perspective, endowing a new sense and value to phenomena. Instead of seeking certainty, it seeks to express a compelling vision that illuminates the nature and order of reality. The first stage is to revise and develop Nietzsche's method of transvaluation, forged in the critique of metaphysics, for a contrary use in constructive metaphysical practice through dialogue with the French spiritualist metaphysicians (e.g. Boutroux, Bergson, Lavelle, Le Senne, Weil). The second stage is to explore how one might still move from thought towards existence by means of a transvaluation of ontological arguments. The third stage focuses on a transvaluation of concepts of truth and error (or sin) derived from this renewed metaphysical perspective. The outcome will be a monograph on the practice of metaphysics.

  • GOODCHILD, P, 2021. The Metaphysics of Trust: Credit and Faith III Rowman and Littlefield International.
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2020. Culture and Machine: Reframing Theology and Economics Modern Theology. 36(2),
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2020. Credit and Faith Rowman & Littlefield International.
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2020. Economic Theology: Credit and Faith II Rowman & Littlefield International.
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2018. Limits to Globalisation and the Loss of Faith Interdisciplinary Journal for Religion and Transformation in Contemporary Society. 7(2),
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2017. Credit and Investment. In: LAURENT MILESI, CHRISTOPHER MUELLER and AIDAN TYNAN, eds., Credo, Credit, Crisis Rowman & Littlefield International.
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2017. Weil's Boat: on being and becoming. In: ROZELLE STONE, REBECCA, ed., Simone Weil and Continental Philosophy Rowman & Littlefield.
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2017. On the origins of modern debt and value: Revisiting Friedrich Nietzsche and William Petty Continental Thought and Theory. 1(2), 306-332
  • GOODCHILD, P and PHELPS, H, eds., 2017. Religion and European Philosophy: From Kant to Zizek Routledge.
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2016. Creation, Sin and Debt: A response to the papal encyclical Laudato Si Environmental Humanities. 8(2), 270-276
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2016. Debt, Finance and Social Justice: The Enduring Significance of William Temple Journal of Beliefs and Values. 37(3), 273-281
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2016. Why does the Bible matter for ethics?. In: C.L. CROUCH, ROLAND DEINES and MARK WREFORD, eds., Why Does the Bible Matter?: The significance of the Bible for contemporary life The Bible Society.
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2015. Capitalism and Global Economics.. In: CRAIG HOVEY and ELIZABETH PHILLIPS, eds., The Cambridge Companion to Christian Political Theology Cambridge University Press.
  • GOODCHILD P, 2014. The Future of Liberation. In: CLAYTON CROCKETT, KEITH PUTT and JEFF ROBBINS, eds., The Future of Continental Philosophy of Religion Fordham University Press.
  • GOODCHILD, P., 2013. On philosophy as a spiritual exercise: a symposium Palgrave Macmillan.
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2013. Exposing Mammon: Devotion to money in a market society Dialog: A Journal of Theology. 52(1), 51-61
  • GOODCHILD, P., 2012. What is wrong with the global financial system? Journal of Interdisciplinary Economics. 24(1), 7-28
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2012. Thinking and Life: Philosophy as a Spiritual Exercise. In: STEVEN SHAKESPEARE and KATHARINE MOODY, eds., Intensities: Philosophy, Religion and the Affirmation of Life Ashgate. 165-176
  • GOODCHILD, PHILIP, 2012. Engaged Philosophy of Religion Journal of Cultural and Religious Theory. 12(2), 52-68
  • GOODCHILD, P., 2011. Deleuze and philosophy of religion. In: JOY, M., ed., Continental philosophy and philosophy of religion Springer. 139-164
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2011. The Shadow Side of Debt Common Knowledge. 17(2), 375-382
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2011. A Theological Interpretation of the Financial Crisis Modern Believing. 52(1), 10-20
  • GOODCHILD, PHILIP, 2011. Is the Secular Age as Secular as it Takes Itself to Be? Kritika & Kontext. XVI(43), 84-91
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2010. Philosophy as a Way of Life: Deleuze on Thinking and Money SubStance. 39(1), 24-37
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2010. The Market, God and Ascetic Life. In: ILKKA PYYSIAINEN, ed., Religion, Economy and Cooperation Walter de Gruyter. 219-236
  • GOODCHILD, P., 2010. Economies of promise: on Caesar and Christ. In: BRADLEY, A. and FLETCHER, P., eds., The politics to come: power, modernity and the messianic Continuum. 141-160
  • GOODCHILD, P. & N. OTHERS, 2010. Hypocrisy. In: SMITH, A.P. and WHISTLER, D., eds., After the Postsecular and the Postmodern: New Essays in Continental Philosophy of Religion Cambridge Scholars Press. 380-398
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2009. Theology of Money Duke University Press.
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2009. The Political and the Religious Philosophical Meditations. 1(1), 10-18
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2008. The Reasonableness of Philosophy of Religion. In: CHEETHAM, D and KING, R, eds., Contemporary Practice and Method in the Philosophy of Religion: New Essays London: Continuum. 188-203
  • GOODCHILD, P, 2007. Theology of Money London: SCM-Canterbury Press.
  • GOODCHILD, P., 2006. Truth and Utopia Telos. NUMB 134, 64-82
  • GOODCHILD, P., 2005. Capital and Kingdom: An Eschatological Ontology. In: DAVIS, C., MILBANK, J. and ŽIŽEK, S., eds., Theology and the Political: the New Debate Durham, NC: Duke University Press. 127-152
  • GOODCHILD, P., 2005. Proslogion. In: BENSON, B.E. and WIRZBA, N., eds., The Phenomenology of Prayer New York: Fordham University Press.
  • GOODCHILD, P., 2005. On ‘Religion’: Speeches to its Cultural Despisers. In: CROSSLEY, J.G. and KARNER, C., eds., Writing History, Constructing Religion Aldershot: Ashgate. 49-63
  • GOODCHILD, P., 2004. Debt, Epistemology and Ecotheology Ecotheology. 9(2), 151-177
  • GOODCHILD, P., 2004. The Return of the Prophet: A Dialogue' Journal of Cultural and Religious Theory. 5(2), 58-77
  • GOODCHILD, P., 2004. Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari. In: SIMONS, J., ed., Contemporary Critical Theorists: From Lacan to Said Edinburgh : Edinburgh University Press. 168-184
  • GOODCHILD, P., ed., 2003. Difference in philosophy of religion Aldershot: Ashgate.
  • GOODCHILD, P., 2003. Oil and Debt: The Collision between Economy and Ecology Situation Analysis. 2, 5-17
  • GOODCHILD, P., 2002. Capitalism and religion: the price of piety London: Routledge.
  • GOODCHILD, P., ed., 2002. Rethinking philosophy of religion: approaches from continental philosophy New York: Fordham University Press.
  • GOODCHILD, P., 2002. Death and Enlightenment in Twelve Brief Episodes Angelaki. VOL 7(PART 2), 39-50
  • GOODCHILD, P., 2000. Spirit of Philosophy: Derrida and Deleuze Angelaki. VOL 5(PART 2), 43-58
  • GOODCHILD, P., 2000. The Logic of Sacrifice in the Book of Job: Philosophy and the Practice of Religion Cultural Values. VOL 4(PART 2), 167-193
  • GOODCHILD, P., 2000. Job as Apologetic: The Role of the Audience Religion. VOL 30(PART 2), 149-168
  • GOODCHILD, P., 2000. Why is Philosophy so Compromised with God?. In: Deleuze and Religion London: Routledge. 156-166
  • GOODCHILD, P., 2000. Review of Richard King, 'Orientalism and Religion' Religion. 30(3), 300-302
  • GOODCHILD, P., 1999. Money, Gift and Sacrifice: Thirteen Short Episodes in the Pricing of Thought Angelaki. VOL 4(PART 3), 25-40
  • GOODCHILD, P., 1999. Review of Paul Heelas (ed), 'Religion, Modernity and Postmodernity' Religion. 21(3), 290-292
  • GOODCHILD, P., 1998. Review of Pamela Sue Anderson, 'A Feminist Philosophy of Religion' Religion. 20(4), 435-437
  • GOODCHILD, P.S., 1997. Theory, Culture & Society. 14(2), 1-2/39-50
  • GOODCHILD, P., 1997. Time and Evaluation Antithesis. 8(2), 35-54
  • GOODCHILD, P., 1996. Gilles Deleuze and the question of philosophy Madison: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press.
  • GOODCHILD, P., 1996. A Theological Passion for Deleuze Theology. VOL 99(ISSUE 791), 357-365
  • GOODCHILD, P., 1996. Deleuze and Guattari: An Introduction to the Politics of Desire London: Sage.
  • GOODCHILD, P., 1995. Christian Ethics in the Postmodern Condition Studies in Christian Ethics. VOL 8(NUMBER 1), 20

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