The Truth of the Matter: Observations on Inclusivism and Exclusivism

This article discusses the concept of religious inclusivism, which is the theoretical requisite for all doctrines of pagan salvation. By considering a series of antique and early modern examples, two main conceptions of religious truth are analyzed. These can be distinguished from each other according to the tendency to reject or to accept the idea that ‘false creeds’, understood as sets of imperfect beliefs, could be considered nonetheless ‘true’ as opposed to ‘untrue’. Inclusivist and exclusivist choices in the field of religion are thus explained as resulting from different doctrines of truth. As a consequence, the traditional connection between inclusivism and polytheism, on the one hand, and exclusivism and monotheism, on the other, is partially rejected.