Approaches to the Study of Religion

by Connolly, Peter

• ISBN13: 9780304337095
• ISBN10: 0304337099
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-01-01
• Publisher: Cassell

Summary

It has been argued that religious studies is a polymethodic discipline, and that the student of religion should be familiar with the approaches of the major disciplines concerned with understanding the nature of religion, not least because the approach adopted has profound influence on the phenomena chose for investigation and the conclusions reached.This book is the first textbook, specifically designed for undergraduate students, that provides the essential background on methods of the major relevant disciplines.Presenting each of the significant approaches to religion in an informed manner, the book brings together experienced researchers from feminism, anthropology, sociology, phenomenology, psychology, philosophy, and theology. It presents a consistent approach throughout, with each chapter dealing with the same themes: the historical development of the approach, the characteristics of the approach, and the surrounding issues and debates.

Author Biography

Peter Connolly is Senior Lecturer in Study of Religions at the Chichester Institute of Higher Education.

Table of Contents

Contributors	p. vi
Foreword	p. ix
Acknowledgements	p. xv
Introduction	p. 1
Anthropological Approaches	p. 10
Feminist Approaches	p. 42
Phenomenological Approaches	p. 73
Philosophical Approaches	p. 105
Psychological Approaches	p. 135
Sociological Approaches	p. 193
Theological Approaches	p. 226
Name Index	p. 275
Subject Index	p. 280
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