The science of religion and the sociology of knowledge : some methodological questions / Ninian Smart.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Smart, Ninian, author.

Series:

Princeton Legacy Library

Princeton Legacy Library ; 1841

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Religion.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (174 p.)

Place of Publication:

Princeton, NJ : Princeton University Press, 1973

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

Ambitiously undertaking to develop a strategy for making the study of religion "scientific," Ninian Smart tackles a set of interrelated issues that bear importantly on the status of religion as an academic discipline. He draws a clear distinction between studying religion and "doing theology," and considers how phenomenological method may be used in investigating objects of religious attitudes without presupposing the existence of God or gods. He goes on to criticize projectionist theories of religion (notably Berger's) and theories of rationality in both religion and anthropology.On this basis he builds a theory of religious dynamics which gives religious ideas and entities an autonomous place in the sociology of knowledge. His overall purpose is thus "to indicate ways forward in the study of religion which free it from being crypto-apologetics or elevating poetry."Originally published in 1973.The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Preface

1. The Science of Religion

2. Religion and Theology

3. The Nature of the Phenomenological Objects of Religion

4. Religion and Projection

5. Religion and Rationality

6. Within and Without Religion

7. Compatibilities and Religious Materials

8. Further Reflections

Bibliography

Backmatter

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Bibliography: p. 161-164.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 08. Jul 2019)

ISBN:

9780691071916

0691071918

9781400868889

1400868882

OCLC:

902958242