Religious Hinges: Some Historical Precursors

Abstract Recently, hinge epistemologists have applied Wittgenstein’s metaphor of hinges to religious belief. The most prominent proposal in this context is Pritchard’s “quasi-fideism”. This paper examines some historical precursors the notion hinges, with aim shedding more light on it. After outlining framework epistemology and its application belief, I briefly examine views Thomas Reid John Henry Newman as acknowledged forerunners (or cognate views). Next, turn two hitherto unacknowledged forerunners, pragmatists William James Charles S. Peirce. then focus insights that offer. On basis, conclude beliefs are a special class hinges. As such, while they can be defended through epistemology, cannot constitute model which we interpret nature general.