The Philosophy of Charles Hartshorne – Process Theism, Metaphysics, and the Logic of Divinity | The Library of Living Philosophers | Volume XX, 1991 | Review, Analysis & Summary

The Philosophy of Charles Hartshorne, curated by Lewis Edwin Hahn, is the twentieth installment in the esteemed Library of Living Philosophers (LLP) series, released in 1991. This edition is devoted to Charles Hartshorne (1897–2000), noted as a profoundly original and impactful American philosopher in the realms of religion and metaphysics throughout the 20th century.
Hartshorne is primarily recognized for his development of process philosophy and process theology, drawing from Alfred North Whitehead's ideas. He reimagined traditional theism by introducing a panentheistic perspective of God, viewing the divine as dynamic, relational, and interwoven with the world, in contrast to a notion of God as entirely transcendent and static.
This volume encompasses Hartshorne’s philosophical autobiography, excerpts from his seminal works, critical analyses by prominent scholars, and Hartshorne’s thorough responses. It captures the essence of a thinker devoted to integrating philosophical integrity with spiritual insights.

Who Was Charles Hartshorne?

Charles Hartshorne was a philosopher and theologian whose scholarly journey extended over eight decades. His teaching career included positions at the University of Chicago, Emory University, and the University of Texas. Hartshorne's contributions include:

• Innovating neoclassical or process theism
• Renewing interest in the ontological argument for God’s existence
• Formulating ideas about reality, time, and divine perfection

Significant publications consist of:

• The Divine Relativity (1948)
• Man’s Vision of God (1941)
• Anselm’s Discovery (1965)
• Creative Synthesis and Philosophic Method (1970)

Hartshorne posited that God is not unchanging or impassive but a compassionate, evolving entity that partakes in the joys and sufferings of creation.

Contents of the Volume

In line with the established format of the Library of Living Philosophers, this volume offers an insightful overview of Hartshorne’s philosophy and its repercussions.

1. Philosophical Autobiography

Hartshorne contemplates his intellectual path—from initial studies in logic and mathematics under the guidance of Whitehead and Bertrand Russell to his enduring focus on a process-oriented understanding of God and existence. He discusses influential philosophers, his spiritual beliefs, and his role in metaphysical discussions.

2. Selections from Hartshorne’s Writings

These selections highlight Hartshorne’s fundamental concepts:

• God as both absolute and relative (dipolar theism)
• The rationality of possibility and necessity
• Process metaphysics and the evolving essence of reality
• Defense of the ontological argument, refined from Anselm
• Panentheism (the universe exists within God, while God transcends the universe)

The excerpts reflect Hartshorne’s ability to balance analytical clarity with broad metaphysical insights.

3. Critical Essays

Scholars representing diverse backgrounds engage with Hartshorne’s framework. Noteworthy contributors include:

• John Cobb Jr. – a prominent figure in process theology
• William L. Reese – discussing metaphysics and theology
• Eugene Peters, Frederick Sontag, Lewis E. Hahn, among others

Discussed topics include:

• Hartshorne’s new interpretation of divine attributes
• Comparisons with Whitehead’s metaphysical views
• Considerations for ethics, ecology, and religious diversity
• Dialogues concerning freedom, necessity, and omniscience

4. Hartshorne’s Replies to Critics

Hartshorne addresses each critique with lucidity, thoughtful reasoning, and a trademark humility. His responses clarify misconceptions, defend the concept of panentheism, and underscore the rational basis for religious belief rooted in experience and philosophical consistency.

Key Themes in Hartshorne’s Philosophy

1. Process Theism

Hartshorne, influenced by Whitehead, proposes that God is not a static, timeless entity but rather dynamic, evolving, and influenced by the world around Him. He characterizes God through two aspects:

• Absolute (unchanging in nature and value)
• Relative (responsive to the evolving world)
• This framework maintains both the ideals of divine perfection and divine love.

2. Panentheism

In contrast to classical theism, which keeps God separate from creation, Hartshorne’s panentheism perceives God as encompassing the world while also existing beyond it. The world enhances God’s experiences, resulting in continuously increasing knowledge and relationships.

3. The Ontological Argument

Hartshorne presented a modal logic interpretation of Anselm’s ontological argument, claiming that existence constitutes a necessary perfection and asserting that a God whose nonexistence is impossible must exist in actuality. He utilized contemporary logic to address a classical theological debate.

4. Process Metaphysics

For Hartshorne, reality consists not of fixed substances but rather of moments of experience that are perpetually evolving. Fundamental aspects of existence include change, novelty, and relationality.

5. God and Ethics

Hartshorne highlighted that divine perfection encompasses emotional responsiveness rather than an impassive nature. God’s empathy, love, and care are ethically superior to the traditional concept of a detached deity.

Why This Volume Matters

The Philosophy of Charles Hartshorne holds significance for:

• Philosophy students focusing on religion and metaphysics
• Researchers interested in Whiteheadian or process philosophy
• Theologians examining panentheism and divine immanence
• Individuals wrestling with inquiries about God, time, and freedom

This volume showcases Hartshorne not just as a logician and metaphysician but as a philosophical theologian with the audacity to reimagine the deepest elements of divinity.