The study of religion and its meaning. New explorations in the light of Karl Popper and Emile Durkheim

Since its founding by Jacques Waardenburg in 1971, Religion and Reason has been a leading forum for contributions on theories, theoretical issues and agendas related to the phenomenon and the study of religion. Topics include (among others) category formation, comparison, ethnophilosophy, hermeneutics, methodology, myth, phenomenology, philosophy of science, scientific atheism, structuralism, and theories of religion. From time to time the series publishes volumes that map the state of the art and the history of the discipline. PREFACE CHAPTER 1: PROBLEMS IN DEFINING ‘RELIGION’ A. Expecting too much from one definition B. The problem of an evaluative definition C. The problem of a diluted definition D. The problem of an expanded definition E. The problem of the true religion F. The preliminary definition of ‘religion’ G. Explicating core-concern with finitude H. Religion and magic I. Dimensions of religion CHAPTER 2: RESPONSES TO THE CONCERN WITH FINITUDE A. The response definition of ‘religion’ B. Reductionism C. Rational thinking develops its own problems D. The issue of objectivity E. Empirical testing F. The question of consistency G. What to do with contradiction H. On seeing contradictions I. On protecting one’s central beliefs J. Seeking out threatening challenges to belief K. Hypocrisy and contradiction CHAPTER 3: THE EMOTIONAL DIMENSION OF RELIGIOUS RESPONSES A. Response to loss and defeat B. Frustration and anger C. The study of covert and overt behaviors D. Preventive religion E. The religion of the insiders F. Religion and separation G. Balancing the need for unity and separateness CHAPTER 4: THE MORAL DIMENSION OF RELIGION A. The impact of Positivism B. The problem of moral conventionalism C. The procedure of moral appeal and inquiry D. On transcending convention E. Moral authority F. The interchange between communities G. The gift of nature H. The animal and primitive roots of society I. Sources of social and moral transcendence J. Religious commitment to the society perceived as protector K. Born again L. Theological ethics M. From involvement to moral commitment N. The quest for a rock-bottom ethical foundation O. The risk of involvement CHAPTER 5: RELIGIOUS EDUCATION A. The myth of the neutral point of view B. Required courses – A Church-State problem? C. Presenting a variety of viewpoints D. The Religion of the Republic and its ‘Sunday School’ E. A serious threat to the plan F. Christianity and the Religion of the Republic G. The influence of the Religion of the Republic H. The secular outlook and the Religion of the Republic I. Conclusion CHAPTER 6: THE MYSTIC AND GOD A. Mysticism and oneness B. Mysticism and ineffability C. Observing the ‘inner’ world D. The social construction of reality E. More than eliminating external stimuli F. The mystic’s ‘knowledge’ of God CHAPTER 7: CORE-DEPRIVATION AND THE PROMISE OF FULFILLMENT A. Theology: problem or solution? B. Perfect being as perfect solution C. Core-concern and universal reconciliation D. Reconciliation of desires E. ‘Original’ conflict and ‘ultimate’ solution F. All perfections are finite states G. Pride and guilt H. Rising expectation in religion I. Teaching people to fall into despair J. The right to life after death K. Naturalism and Christian hybris L. Freeing imagination from conviction M. The sin of desiring to be infinitely sinful CHAPTER 8: Is GOD VERIFIABLE? A. The verification criterion B. Confusion regarding God-talk C. Social tolerance does not entail loss of epistemological rigor D. Eschatological verification E. Indefinite postponement of verification F. Infinite regress and empty conclusion G. Hell – The Achilles’ heel of Hick’s argument H. The problem of induction CHAPTER 9: RELATIVISM AND CONTRADICTION A. What epistemological relativism entails B. No universal criterion of truth C. The method of internal criticism D. God-talk without theism E. Contradiction as a test of falsity F. An example of embarrassment over contradiction G. The role of dogmatism H. The pressure of contradiction I. Expansion of the belief-system J. Summary CHAPTER 10: DAVID HUME’S THREAT TO FAITH A. Karl Popper – Opponent of verificationism B. Hume’s position C. The radical implications of Hume’s argument D. New conjectures and inspiration E. Doubt and belief F. Science and religion – Some differences and similarities G. Faith in rational inquiry H. Two meanings of ‘Rational’ I. From faith to faith J. From conjecture to conjecture CHAPTER 11: MEANING IN THEOLOGY A. Careful about procedures B. The question of meaning C. Do theological statements have cognitive meaning? D. Extending the boundaries of theological meaning E. Theology as a distinct reality F. Theology and transcendent objective reference G. The problem of translating from one language game to another H. Transforming one language game into another I. Will God-talk talk itself to death? J. Tillich’s transitional linguistics K. What does God-talk talk itself into? L. Who are the opponents of God-talk? CHAPTER 12: THE-MEANING-OF-LIFE QUESTION A. More than cognitive meaning B. Meaning through a cosmic goal C. Meaning through finite sources of enjoyment D. Meaning through belonging to a significant group E. Meaning through recognition F. Meaning through satisfaction of strong expectations G. Meaning through a sense of control and personal wholeness H. Meaning through a sense of aesthetic completeness I. Meaning through orientation J. Meaning through service to others K. Conclusion BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX OF NAMES SUBJECT INDEX

Sinceits founding by Jacques Waardenburg in 1971, Religion and Reason has been a leading forum for contributions on theories, theoretical issues and agendas related to the phenomenon and the study of religion. Topics include (among others) category formation, comparison, ethnophilosophy, hermeneutics, methodology, myth, phenomenology, philosophy of science, scientific atheism, structuralism, and theories of religion. From time to time the series publishes volumes that map the state of the art and the history of the discipline.