This collection of essays stages a dialogue between Friedrich Schleiermacher and Alfred North Whitehead on significant features of 'open' system. The volume offers new options for rehabilitating system for future theological and philosophical thinking by opening system to a flexible relation with changing reality. Key ingredients for system are discussed in three areas of contact between Schleiermacher and Whitehead. One such ingredient concerns historical precedents figuring crucially in Western systematic philosophy. Another feature is the systematic categorization of experience that relates epistemology, metaphysics, and the empirical sciences. System is also brought to bear on pressing contemporary issues, such as ethics and religious pluralism.

Christine Helmer is Assistant Professor of Theology at Claremont School of Theology (CST) and Assistant Professor of Religion at Claremont Graduate University (CGU) in Claremont, California, USA.Marjorie Suchocki is Former Dean and Professor Emerita at CST, Professor Emerita of Religion at CGU, Director of the Process and Faith Program at the Center for Process Studies (CPS), and Co-Director of the CPS.John Quiring is Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at Victor Valley College in Victorville, California and Program Director of the CPS.Katie Goetz is a Master of Divinity student at CST and a candidate for ordination in the United Methodist Church.