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Methodological Issues in Religious Studies
| Author: | Kamppinen, Matti | |
| Year: | 2012 | |
| Pages: | 132 | |
| ISBN: | 0-7734-2606-X 978-0-7734-2606-1 | |
| Price: | $139.95 | |
This book elucidates the conceptual or theoretical issues in religious studies by means of utilizing the tools of philosophical analysis. The academic discipline of religious studies is rich in conceptual systems that derive from ethnography, history, psychology, sociology and media studies. In line with other fields of research in cultural studies, religious studies adopt various theoretical resources in eclectic ways, and by the same token, imports various numerous conceptual issues from these adjacent fields. In addition to the rich conceptual systems within religious studies, the discipline investigates conceptual systems, cultural meaning systems that postulate supernatural entities. Whether the study object is religious behaviour or religious belief, sacred texts or buildings, the ultimate research object is the conceptual system that is conveyed or expressed by the material data. Thus there are concepts and conceptual systems at both sides: at the side of religious studies, and at the side of religious culture (cultural knowledge, behaviour and artefacts). The investigation of conceptual issues in religious studies has therefore either theoretical (or philosophical) and empirical relevance.
This book provides a philosophy of religious studies that is anchored in the intentional systems theory, on one hand, and in scientific realism, on the other hand. It will be of interest to those working in religious or cultural studies and have an interest in the philosophy of science. The book will also provide interesting case studies for philosophers of science, especially those interested in humanities and social research.
This book provides a philosophy of religious studies that is anchored in the intentional systems theory, on one hand, and in scientific realism, on the other hand. It will be of interest to those working in religious or cultural studies and have an interest in the philosophy of science. The book will also provide interesting case studies for philosophers of science, especially those interested in humanities and social research.
Reviews
“… long overdue, and [the author]’s work here is an excellent beginning to providing a comprehensive framework for the development of a fully scientific study of religion.” – Prof. Donald Wiebe, Trinity College, University of Toronto
“… well written volume helps clarify a number of important issues. These include the centrality of science to our understanding of the world, the value of philosophy for good science, the nature and mutual relationships of concepts and theories, the role of theory in religious studies, and some pitfalls embedded in relativism and post-modernism.” – Prof. Stewart E. Guthrie, Fordham University
“… a refreshing and welcome addition to the philosophical dialogue of meta-theoretical analysis of ‘how we study, what we think, they think,’ and the conceptual and cultural systems behind such endeavors.” – Prof. William McCorkle, Masaryk University, Brno Czech Republic
“… well written volume helps clarify a number of important issues. These include the centrality of science to our understanding of the world, the value of philosophy for good science, the nature and mutual relationships of concepts and theories, the role of theory in religious studies, and some pitfalls embedded in relativism and post-modernism.” – Prof. Stewart E. Guthrie, Fordham University
“… a refreshing and welcome addition to the philosophical dialogue of meta-theoretical analysis of ‘how we study, what we think, they think,’ and the conceptual and cultural systems behind such endeavors.” – Prof. William McCorkle, Masaryk University, Brno Czech Republic
Table of Contents
Preface by Donald Wiebe
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Relevance of Philosophy
Conceptual Analysis and Argumentation
Argumentation in Everyday Life
Argumentation in Science
Deductive Argument
Inductive Argument
Burden of Proof
Fallacies
Philosophy of Religious Studies
Ontology
Epistemology
Values in Science
Philosophy of Religion
World Philosophy and Ethnography
Chapter 2: Concepts and Theories
Concepts
Misunderstandings About Concepts
Obscurantism
Theories
Levels of Theories
Hermeneutics as Application of Theories
Chapter 3: Lauri Honko’s Theoretical Contribution
Pragmatism
Tradition Ecology as a Research Programme
Tradition Ecology and Memetics
Genre Analysis and Folklore Process
Example of Folklore Process 1: Para-Religious Phenomena
Example of Folklore Process 2: Religion and Media
General Theory and Cultural Details
Chapter 4: The Concept of Body
Religious Bodies
Other Bodily Activities
Embodied Religion, Emotions and Fieldwork
Inferential Schemas related to the Concept of Body
Body as a Source Model
Chapter 5: Religion, Education and the Normative Rationality of Science Education
Applied Research in Cultural Studies
Religion Education and Confessional Elements
The Case of Finland: From Confessional to Multiconfessional Education
Philosophical Commitments of Religions
Ontology
Epistemology
Morals
NOMA
Future Prospects for Science-Based Religion Education
Chapter 6: Relativism and Conceptual Egocentrism in Religious Studies
Cultural Diversity and Cultural Relativism
Relativism as Methodology
Comparing Beliefs
Conceptual Egocentrism in Religious Studies
Post-Secular Practices
Concluding Remarks
Bibliography
Index of Subjects and Names
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Relevance of Philosophy
Conceptual Analysis and Argumentation
Argumentation in Everyday Life
Argumentation in Science
Deductive Argument
Inductive Argument
Burden of Proof
Fallacies
Philosophy of Religious Studies
Ontology
Epistemology
Values in Science
Philosophy of Religion
World Philosophy and Ethnography
Chapter 2: Concepts and Theories
Concepts
Misunderstandings About Concepts
Obscurantism
Theories
Levels of Theories
Hermeneutics as Application of Theories
Chapter 3: Lauri Honko’s Theoretical Contribution
Pragmatism
Tradition Ecology as a Research Programme
Tradition Ecology and Memetics
Genre Analysis and Folklore Process
Example of Folklore Process 1: Para-Religious Phenomena
Example of Folklore Process 2: Religion and Media
General Theory and Cultural Details
Chapter 4: The Concept of Body
Religious Bodies
Other Bodily Activities
Embodied Religion, Emotions and Fieldwork
Inferential Schemas related to the Concept of Body
Body as a Source Model
Chapter 5: Religion, Education and the Normative Rationality of Science Education
Applied Research in Cultural Studies
Religion Education and Confessional Elements
The Case of Finland: From Confessional to Multiconfessional Education
Philosophical Commitments of Religions
Ontology
Epistemology
Morals
NOMA
Future Prospects for Science-Based Religion Education
Chapter 6: Relativism and Conceptual Egocentrism in Religious Studies
Cultural Diversity and Cultural Relativism
Relativism as Methodology
Comparing Beliefs
Conceptual Egocentrism in Religious Studies
Post-Secular Practices
Concluding Remarks
Bibliography
Index of Subjects and Names