bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Towards a Theory of Social Practices
Authors: Zhok Andrea 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe notion of social practice and a family of notions akin to it play an essential role in contemporary philosophical reflection, with particular reference to the conceptualisation of historical processes. Stephen Turner's book A Social Theory of Practices (1994) has provided a major challenge to this family of notions, and our purpose is to outline a grounding account of the notion of social practice in the form of an answer to Turner's criticisms. We try to answer three questions: first, if it is necessary to grant a tacit dimension to transmittable habits; second, if and how a tacit dimension of "meaning" could be intersubjectively transmitted; third, what is the possible role of rationality in changing social practices. Our discussion moves from Wittgenstein's argument on rule-following; in its wake we try to examine the nature of habits as a basis for rules and discuss their temporal sedimentation, inertia and modes of intersubjective transmission. In conclusion we support the idea that social practices must rely on a tacit dimension, that their tacit dimension does not represent a hindrance to intersubjective transmission, and that the possible dogmatism of social practices is not due to their "hidden" side, but to their explicit quasi-rational side.
Linguistic Epiphenomenalism ‐ Davidson and Chomsky on the Status of Public Languages
Authors: Nevo Isaac 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to highlight an individualist streak in both Davidson’s conception of language and Chomsky’s. In the first part of the paper, I argue that in Davidson’s case this individualist streak is a consequence of an excessively strong conception of what the compositional nature of linguistic meaning requires, and I offer a weaker conception of that requirement that can do justice to both the publicity and the compositionality of language. In the second part of the paper, I offer a comparison between Davidson’s position on the unreality of public languages, and Chomsky’s position regarding the epiphenomenal status of “externalized” languages. In Chomsky’s case, as in Davidson’s, languages are individuated in terms of the formal theories that serve to account for their systematic structure, and this assumption rests upon a similarly strong and similarly questionable understanding of what it is to employ finite means in pursuit of an infinite task. The alternative, at which I can only hint, is a view of language as a social and historical reality, i.e., a realm of social fact that cannot be exhausted by any formal theory and cannot be reduced to properties of individual speakers.
Creating the Past: Schelling’s Ages of the World
Authors: Welchman Alistair , Norman Judith 
Published: July 2010

AbstractF.W.J. Schelling’s Ages of the World has just begun to receive the critical attention it deserves as a contribution to the philosophy of history. Its most significant philosophical move is to pose the question of the origin of the past itself, asking what “caused” the past. Schelling treats the past not as a past present (something that used to be a ’now’ but no longer is) — but rather as an eternal past, a different dimension of time altogether, and one that was never a present ’now’. For Schelling, the past functions as the transcendental ground of the present, the true ’a priori’. Schelling’s account of the creation of this past takes the form of a theogeny: in order to exist, God needed to separate the past from the present. By grounding the creation of the past in a free decision of God, Schelling tries to conceptualize temporality so as to preserve the sort of radical contingency and authentic freedom that he considers essential features of history. In so doing, he opens up a way of viewing time that avoids the pitfalls of the Hegelian dialectic and anticipates some of the 20th century developments in phenomenology.
Europe: Arena of Pluralization and Diversification of Religions
Authors: Kippenberg Hans 
Published: July 2010

AbstractIf participation in church activities is critical for the strength or weakness of religion, there is no denying that Europe comes off poorly. According to American sociologists of religion the rise of religious pluralism in the USA was due to the strict separation between state and church; it compelled congregations and denominations to compete for believers. The European case is different. Here the diversity of religions existed long before the modern period. Since its ancient beginning European culture sought its authorities outside its geographical confines. Greeks and Jews, Hellenism and Hebraism, Athens and Jerusalem, later Mecca and Islam became cultural points of orientation for people living in Europe. The article addresses the cultural and social processes that transformed these and other foreign religious traditions into typical European manifestations: the Roman legal system turned foreign religions into legal categories; it was modernization that led to the articulation of distinctly religious meanings of history and of nature; and it was the detachment from the church that provided the impetus for new societal forms of religion. Those processes are at the center of the European plurality and diversity of religions.
Religious Pluralisation and Institutional Change: The Case of the New Religious Scene in Germany
Authors: Hero Markus 
Published: July 2010

AbstractContrary to previous, largely quantitative, studies into the effects of religious pluralisation, this paper will focus on the qualitative changes induced by processes of pluralisation. Taking the German new religious scene as an example, it demonstrates how pluralisation of the supply structure has led to a transformation of forms of religious interaction. Relatively closed organisations, built on clear-cut relationships of affiliation and commitment, find it difficult to compete under conditions marked by pluralisation with more open, more flexible forms of religious interaction that demand less commitment of their followers. In this way relationships within religious groups and organisations gradually have been replaced by customer-oriented patterns of interaction. These new patterns have created a specific religious infrastructure, with religious participation turning away from the traditional membership-based model toward a culture built on access relationships. The access principle leads to the rise of a religious consumerism whereby religious ideas are customised to fit into episodic units which are tailored to the particular needs and circumstances of the followers.
Instrument of Mobilization or a Bridge towards Understanding? Religion and Values in the Reform Process of the European Union
Authors: Mandry Christof 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe self-understanding of the Europeans has been profoundly put into question since 1989, and during the EU reform process, 'Europe' was confronted by the task of describing itself anew. In this context, the debate about the significance of the religious patrimony took on a key position in the discourse. The broad public discussions of the preambles to the European Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Treaty establishing a Constitution for the European Union (ECT) indicate that the relationship between religion and political remains a controversial issue. The article argues that the 'preamble disputes' are part and parcel of the European Union's quest for a political identity and that the outcome of the identity debate—the self-description as a 'community of values'—deals in a specific way with this fundamental question.
Models of Church-State Relations in European Democracies
Authors: Riedel Sabine 
Published: July 2010

AbstractEuropean church-state relations are the result of a long democratisation process. The immigration of the Muslim population during the second part of the twentieth century to Western Europe and the democratic transition of the Eastern European political systems after 1990 raise questions on the importance of religious bodies in the public space and their influence on existing church-state relations. This article analyses whether these developments would continue the traditional separation of church and state or put the clocks back towards a new sacralisation of politics.
Church-State Relations in Europe: From Legal Models to an Interdisciplinary Approach
Authors: Sandberg Russell 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThis article contends that scholarship itself has become a barrier to the understanding of church and state relations in Europe. It argues that legal analysis to date has taken an overly narrow approach, focussing purely on the means by which religion is recognised and ignoring the end. The first part of the article elucidates and critiques the three models conventionally elucidated by lawyers (the state church systems, separation (secular) systems and hybrid or cooperationist systems), concluding that an alternative approach is required. The second part outlines an alternative interdisciplinary approach, suggesting the benefits of fusing insights from both law and sociology.
Home Is Where the Murtis Are: A Hindustani Community and Its Temple in Wijchen, the Netherlands
Authors: Nugteren Albertina 
Published: July 2010

AbstractWhilst the settlement history of Hindustanis in the Netherlands has been relatively well researched, there is no scholarly literature on specific local communities. In this article one specific community is introduced and studied with special attention to its newly built temple. It is argued that having a purpose-built temple causes various shifts in ritual strategies, as well as in representational politics.
Beyond Freud in Psychoanalytic Psychology of Religion? On the Discussion of Religion as Projection
Authors: Belzen Jacob 
Published: July 2010

AbstractIn 1907, Sigmund Freud initiated the psychoanalytic psychology of religion, until the present day the most important contributor to the psychology of religion literature in general, and the branch of psychological critique of religion best known outside of psychology circles (having drawn attention from a multitude of philosophers, theologians and scholars on religion). One often reads that of the remarks made by Freud about religion would be, that it is a 'projection.' While not being original (the claim had been earlier articulated many times, from Greek philosophy until Feuerbach), it has been regarded as Freud's major contribution to the (psychological) critique of religion, especially in vulgarized psychoanalytic parlance. This paper reviews what has been stated about religion as projection by psychoanalysts and other scholars. Also correcting some common misreadings of Freud, the paper is especially inquiring whether and in which sense progress has been booked in the psychology of religion, touching briefly on some contemporary contributions to the field from neurobiology, cognitive science and evolutionary psychology.
From Milton to Modern Satanism: The History of the Devil and the Dynamics between Religion and Literature
Authors: Schipper Bernd 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe article explores the dynamics between literature and religion with the examples of Lucifer and modern Satanism. With John Milton's poem Paradise Lost (1667), the originally Christian myth of Lucifer evolved in a positive direction. Having been adopted by so-called 'literary Satanism,' this character became the basis for a new non-Christian religion, the 'Temple of Set' (founded by Michael Aquino in 1975). The article also argues for a remodelling of the conception of the dynamics between religion and other systems of meaning in the 'European history of religion': not only do religious traditions affect the medium of literature; literature can also affect the religious tradition.
Hellenistic and Roman Empires and Euro-Mediterranean Religion
Authors: Rüpke Jörg 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThis article argues that two important phenomena that are characteristic for the image and self-image of religions in and beyond Europe can be traced to Mediterranean antiquity in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The first is the transformation of religious practices and beliefs that led to the formation of boundary-conscious and knowledge-based religious groups that could be called 'religions.' At the same time, however, religious individuality is shown to be much more important than is usually admitted in dealing with ancient pre-Christian religion. The first process is clearly gaining in momentum during the period analysed, as is shown by the history of several important terms and organisational developments; the second area does not allow a clear judgment on any progressive individualisation. The concept of axial ages is applied to stress the role of empire in these processes.
The Norm-Deviation Model Reconsidered: Four Cases of 'Alternative' Sexual Morals Judged by the Inquisition
Authors: Zbíral David 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe inquisitional register of Jacques Fournier from the years 1318–1325, well known thanks to the book Montaillou by Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie, reaches far beyond the topic of heresy. It encompasses various details about the common life, including sexuality and sexual morals. This case study reconsiders the normdeviation model on the basis of four Fournier's trials dealing with sexual morals: that of Beatrix of Lagleize, Peter Vidal, Arnold of Verniolles, and Grazida Lizier. Sexual morals of these four people are certainly very different from the morals required by Jacques Fournier, but they are rather independent systems and norms than simple deviations from another system or norm, i.e. the official sexual morals. The paper suggests that the norm-deviation model distorts the field of medieval sexual morals.
El Camino Europeo del Rocío: A Pilgrimage towards Europe?
Authors: Plasquy Eddy 
Published: July 2010

AbstractIn 2000, a reunion of 'Eurocrats' founded the Brotherhood of Brussels in honour of the Virgen del Rocío and became quickly integrated in the official network that foments the devotion to the South Spanish Virgin Mary. Soon after, a pilgrimage trail was inaugurated that links the basilica of Brussels to her chapel in the hamlet of El Rocío: the Camino Europeo del Rocío. The pilgrimage passes through eight major Marian sanctuaries in Belgium, France, and Spain. In each of these sites, a representation of the Virgen del Rocío was put in place by the official institutions. In 2007, ten pilgrims actually walked the trail. Once in Madrid, they changed the original track and inaugurated two additional sanctuaries without the consent of the main organizer of the original camino. As such, a variant came into existence: the Camino Europeo del Rocío a pie. The creation of these two 'European' pilgrimage trails shall be documented together with the founding process of the brotherhood of Brussels. The manner in which local political and ideological agendas interfere with the intertwining of old traditions and institutions, such as pilgrimages and Brotherhoods, and new emerging conceptions of 'Europe,' shall thereby be put to the fore.
Tariq Ramadan: From a Mere Co-Existence to an Authentic Contribution of Europe's Muslims
Authors: Ourghi Mariella 
Published: July 2010

AbstractTariq Ramadan, one of the most famous European Muslim thinkers, seeks to re-interpret Qur'an and Sunna and to create a European Islam, which can be harmonised with the principles of secular states. He is not an undisputed figure; to some he is an outstanding reformer whereas to others he is devious in favour of Islamist currents. His most innovative contribution is his concept of dār ashshahāda which leaves behind the confrontational notion of dār al-islām and dār al-harb. Thus, he judges European societies as legitimate places of living for Muslims. He emphasises the peaceful aspects of jihād, although he does not deny that jihād can become militant in cases of defence. Ramadan appeals to European Muslims for agitating for a firm stand in their societies. I argue in this article that this cannot be simply judged as “Islamist engagement,” but emphasis on religious morality, which should play a major role in society, is also placed by representatives of other religions—and the right to lead public debates or to demonstrate one's faith is an inherent trait of secularism as long as all religions are treated equally.
Communism or the Kingdom: 'Saving' China, 1924-1949
Authors: Rigdon Susan 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThis paper identifies commonalities between Marxian economic principles and the socio-economic goals of Social Gospel missionaries in China in the quarter century between 1924 and 1949. It argues that the unbreachable divisions between missionaries, including those who advocated for a "Christian communism," and the communist party were rooted, on the Christian side, in a rejection of violence and coercive methods of policy implementation rather than in opposition to socialism. On the communist side opposition was not to specific tenets of Christianity but to foreign-funding and leadership and to the perception of American Christians as agents of an imperialist country.
Communist Authorities and Missionary Activities in Poland, 1945-1990s
Authors: Rozanski Jaroslaw 
Published: July 2010

AbstractMissionary activities were very strong in Poland before the Second World War. The establishment of a Communist regime after 1945 led to a break in the number of missionaries sent worldwide and, soon after, to a liquidation of all missionary institutions in the country. Because the Catholic Church was very strong, the state did not dare to launch an immediate and frontal attack on the church until 1947. From 1948 however, a full-blown campaign against the church began with nationalization, imprisonments and prohibitions, notably of mission activities. After 15 years, however, some forms of compromise between church and state began to appear. This allowed the Church to rebuild its missionary movement – as of 1965. The year 1980 saw the emergence of the Solidarity movement and the begining of the unmaking of Communism. It led to a revitalization of missionary activities and a normalization of church and state relations, particularly after 1989. The present article describes these developments, establishes a chronology and tries a first causal explanation of the decline and subsequent return of missions in Poland. It also looks at the inheritance of the Communist period for the Catholic Church in Poland.
Lost in Translation: Home Economics and the Sidon Girls' School of Lebanon, c. 1924-1932
Authors: Fleischmann Ellen 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe American Protestant Syria Mission, founded in 1821 in Lebanon, targeted young women and girls, the mothers and wives of the future, as crucial to its aims to spread the Gospel. The Mission thus founded numerous schools for girls. One institution which played a significant role in female education was the Sidon Girls' School, founded in 1862. In the 1920s the Mission initiated a self-described “revolutionary” plan for the school by instituting a home economics program, which put the school on the map of the educational landscape in the Middle East. This article deals with the legacy of the home economics program at Sidon Girls' School, raising broader issues about American-style education imported to the Middle East. Missionaries enthused about the “progressive,” modern training they offered in their schools, seemingly ignorant of the existence of home economics training already offered by indigenous government and private schools. The article investigates how the “new” education in home economics offered in Sidon reflected trends in, and attempted to transfer concepts adapted from, American female education, exploring how and why the missionary message was lost in translation; and how women graduates subverted it. L'American Protestant Syria Mission, fondée en 1821 au Liban, considérait les filles et jeunes femmes, futures mères et futures épouses, comme cruciales pour son travail d'évangélisation. La Mission créa pour cela de nombreuses écoles pour filles. Une institution qui joua un rôle important dans l'éducation féminine fut l'Ecole des Filles de Sidon (Sidon Girls' School) fondée en 1862. Dans les années 1920, la Mission y mit en œuvre ce qu'elle appela un plan « révolutionnaire » instituant un programme d'économie domestique qui allait faire la réputation de l'école dans le contexte des institutions de formation au Moyen Orient. Le présent article analyse l'héritage du programme d'économie domestique à la Sidon Girls' School et soulève des questions plus larges en relation à l'éducation de style américain importée au Moyen Orient. Les missionnaires s'enthousiasmèrent pour l'enseignement « progressiste » et moderne qu'ils offraient dans leurs écoles, ignorant apparemment l'existence de cours d'économie domestique déjà offerts par les gouvernements locaux et autres écoles privées. L'article explore comment la « nouvelle » formation offerte à Sidon était le reflet des tendances de l'éducation féminine aux Etats-Unis et comment les missionnaires tentèrent de transférer ces concepts. Il montre en outre quand et comment le message missionnaire se perdit dans cet effort de traduction, et comment les diplômées de l'école le subvertirent.
Kunstschilders, gilde en academie Over het probleem van de emancipatie van de kunstschilders in de Noordelijke Nederlanden van de 16de en 17de eeuw
Authors: Miedema Hessel 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThis article is a report on research undertaken in 1984-5 by a working group of art history students of the University of Amsterdam into the problem of the emancipation of artists f rom the craft guilds (Note 1). The research was based on Hoogewerff's excellently documented book on the Guilds of St. Luke and on published source material. The idea that artists and especially painters regarded the guilds as oppressive is a deeply rooted one (Note 2) and people are all too readily inclined to write of 'the artists' gaining their emancipation' from the Guilds of St. Luke. However, it is now clear that professional painters covered such a wide social spectrum that it is impossible to lump them all together under a single heading (Note 5), while a provisional investigation mainly, focussed on the first half of the 17th century even suggested that there could have been no question at all of emancipation. It became clear that the guilds continued to function all over the Northern Netherlands in the 17th century as Protectors of the profession, that there was no evidence of their hampering artistry and that if there was any emancipation, it took place within the guild itself. A factor that makes such research difficult is that the literary sources are by no means unambiguous or even reliable. In contrast to the meaning current in their day qf someone who does something with paint and a brush, Vasari and Van Mander used the term 'painter' only for those who painted scenes and portraits, not, for example, for those who did banners or ornamental work (Notes 7,8). Thus Van Mander's freguently cited tirade against the guild (Note 9) loses much of its force in respect of the emancipation theory. Moreover, it is the only text of that type in the Netherlands. Houbraken twisted the facts to fit his vision of the artist, projecting his idea of the artist's superiority on to the historical situation (Note II). Thus this study moved between two poles : on the one hand it again confirmed (Note 12) that the guilds continued to function until late in the 18th century, while on the other there was a growing need among their more successful members for an enhanced status and regard, which manifested itself in their assuming control of the guild and restructuring it more clearly and also in their uniting in additional groupings, in which the emphasis was laid on more intellectual and theoretical, aspects and links were sought with amateurs. Although both these moves could be regarded as a certain form of emancipation, neither can be ascribed to an urge for artistic freedom which was hampered by the guilds.