John Herman Randall Jr.

John Herman Randall Jr. (1899-1980) was an American philosopher and historian of philosophy at Columbia University who made significant contributions to naturalistic philosophy of religion. A leading figure in American naturalism alongside John Dewey, Randall developed a non-theistic interpretation of religion that emphasized its functional and cultural dimensions. His major works, including "The Role of Knowledge in Western Religion" (1958) and "The Meaning of Religion for Man" (1968), argued that religious symbols and practices serve important human purposes without requiring belief in supernatural entities. Randall viewed God-language as mythical and poetic expression of human values and experiences rather than literal theological claims. His naturalistic approach influenced subsequent secular interpretations of religion, positioning religious phenomena as culturally evolved responses to existential needs. Through his teaching and writing, Randall helped establish a philosophical framework for understanding religion without metaphysical commitments to divine beings.