Thinking about religion
Subtitle: an historical introduction to theories of religion
By: Ivan Strenski.
Publisher: Blackwell Pub.; Wiley-Blackwell; Blackwell Publishing Limited
Published: 2006
Place of publication: Malden, MA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 368
ISBN-13: 9781405120111; 9781405120128
Subjects: Religion -- Methodology.
Description: "Engaging with leading figures from the history of anthropology, sociology, psychology, philosophy, and theology, the author traces the study of religion back to the sixteenth century. He reveals how the discipline evolved in response to great cultural conflicts and major historical events, such as the discovery of prehistoric cultures in the caves and ruins of Neolithic Europe and the colonial encounter with the "higher" civilizations of India and China. He also examines the influence of inner experience, tackling issues such as human survival and wish-fulfillment." --Book Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: The pre-history of the study of religion : responses to an expanding world; title: Classic 19th century theorists of the study of religion : the quest for the origins of religion in history; title: Classic 20th century theorists of the study of religion : defending the inner sanctum of religious experience or storming it.