John D. Caputo

John David Caputo, born October 26, 1940, is an American philosopher and a prominent figure in postmodern Christianity and continental philosophy of religion. He is recognized as the founder of the theological movement known as weak theology. Caputo's academic career includes roles as the Thomas J. Watson Professor of Religion Emeritus at Syracuse University and the David R. Cook Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at Villanova University. His scholarly interests and writings extensively cover hermeneutics, phenomenology, deconstruction, and theology, with a particular focus on the intersection of these fields with religious thought. He has engaged with the ideas of philosophers such as Jacques Derrida, Jean-Luc Marion, Søren Kierkegaard, and Martin Heidegger. Caputo's work often addresses the challenges of faith in a postmodern context, exploring concepts like "religion without religion," the critique of ontotheology, and the affirmation of unconditional ethical and political claims within deconstruction. He has also been involved in discussions about the "theological turn" in contemporary philosophy and the dialogue between modern and medieval thought.