عنوان

Too Much, Too Little, or the Wrong Kind of 'Theory' in the Study of Religions?

LA121572

انگلیسی

Too Much, Too Little, or the Wrong Kind of 'Theory' in the Study of Religions?

[Article]

Christopher M. Kavanagh

Leiden

Brill

In response to the recent publication of Theory In a Time of Excess this article offers an outsider perspective on the theoretical issues raised and why they are ultimately unlikely to be resolved. The article argues that there is a widespread problematic tendency to equate theory with a specific category of critical theory that tautologically restricts the theoretical boundaries of the study of religion field and neglects the contributions of more empirically inclined theorists. In a similar manner, essentialising narratives about the Cognitive Science of Religion that portray the field as unified and monolithic are highlighted and the validity of such critiques is questioned. In response to the recent publication of Theory In a Time of Excess this article offers an outsider perspective on the theoretical issues raised and why they are ultimately unlikely to be resolved. The article argues that there is a widespread problematic tendency to equate theory with a specific category of critical theory that tautologically restricts the theoretical boundaries of the study of religion field and neglects the contributions of more empirically inclined theorists. In a similar manner, essentialising narratives about the Cognitive Science of Religion that portray the field as unified and monolithic are highlighted and the validity of such critiques is questioned.

2018

463-471

Method & Theory in the Study of Religion

30/4-5

1570-0682

cognitive science of religion

critical theory

General

methodology

Religious Studies

review

Christopher M. Kavanagh

10.1163/15700682-12341439

p

[Article]

275578

a

Y