viii, 209 ; 24 cm, \"This is the first text to review in a single volume the theories of religion which have been put forward by both believers and non-believers.\"--Jacket, \"\"Why theories of religion?\" After raising and answering this question the author begins his examination of theories of religion by first looking at the explanations given by religious believers (Revelation and Religious Experience). He then considers the view of thinkers who have sought to transform religion into philosophy (Plato, Kant and Hegel), before reviewing the theories of those who have seen religion as arising out of errors in primitive thinking (Tyler, Frazer and Levy-Bruhl) and those 'masters of suspicion', as Paul Ricoeur has called them, (Feuerbach, Nietzsche, Marx and Freud) who offered what they believed to be exhaustive psychological and sociological theories of the origin and nature of religion, In the course of his discussion the author also engages with many contemporary thinkers whose discussions of religion have been based on these classical accounts.\"--Jacket, Includes bibliographical references and index, Introduction -- pt. 1. Religious theories of religion. Religion as revelation -- Religion as experience -- Religion as philosophy -- pt. 2. Naturalistic theories of religion. Religion as human construct : some Greek and Roman theories of religion -- Religion as primitive error -- Religion as psychological construct -- Religion as social construct -- Conclusion : What is religion?

ia/religionclassica0000thro.pdf

James Thrower

United States, United States of America

March 1999

PS, 1999

Includes bibliographical references and index.

This Is The First Text To Review In A Single Volume The Theories Of Religion Which Have Been Put Forward By Both Believers And Non-believers.--jacket. Why Theories Of Religion? After Raising And Answering This Question The Author Begins His Examination Of Theories Of Religion By First Looking At The Explanations Given By Religious Believers (revelation And Religious Experience). He Then Considers The View Of Thinkers Who Have Sought To Transform Religion Into Philosophy (plato, Kant And Hegel), Before Reviewing The Theories Of Those Who Have Seen Religion As Arising Out Of Errors In Primitive Thinking (tyler, Frazer And Levy-bruhl) And Those 'masters Of Suspicion', As Paul Ricoeur Has Called Them, (feuerbach, Nietzsche, Marx And Freud) Who Offered What They Believed To Be Exhaustive Psychological And Sociological Theories Of The Origin And Nature Of Religion. In The Course Of His Discussion The Author Also Engages With Many Contemporary Thinkers Whose Discussions Of Religion Have Been Based On These Classical Accounts.--jacket. Introduction -- Pt. 1. Religious Theories Of Religion. Religion As Revelation -- Religion As Experience -- Religion As Philosophy -- Pt. 2. Naturalistic Theories Of Religion. Religion As Human Construct : Some Greek And Roman Theories Of Religion -- Religion As Primitive Error -- Religion As Psychological Construct -- Religion As Social Construct -- Conclusion : What Is Religion? James Thrower. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

This comprehensive introduction to theories of religion is the first single-volume exploration of ideas put forward by both believers and non-believers. James Thrower analyzes the different types of explanations of religion, not just the thoughts of individuals, advanced primarily -- but not exclusively -- from within the Western tradition. He begins by looking at religious explanations of religion, which define religion as revelation, experience or philosophy (Plato, Kant, and Hegel). He then examines the naturalist, or nonreligious, explanations, from the disciplines of anthropology, psychology, and sociology, including the "masters of suspicion" (including Feurbach, Nietzsche, Marx, Tylor, Frazer, and Freud). The scope of this book ranges from the classical, Semitic, and Indian religious traditions through contemporary thinkers. Thrower concludes by considering the future of the religions of the world in light of the increasingly close inter-religious encounters that are becoming a feature of the global village of the twenty-first century

"This is the first text to review in a single volume the theories of religion which have been put forward by both believers and non-believers.".
""Why theories of religion?" After raising and answering this question the author begins his examination of theories of religion by first looking at the explanations given by religious believers (Revelation and Religious Experience).
He then considers the view of thinkers who have sought to transform religion into philosophy (Plato, Kant and Hegel), before reviewing the theories of those who have seen religion as arising out of errors in primitive thinking (Tyler, Frazer and Levy-Bruhl) and those 'masters of suspicion', as Paul Ricoeur has called them, (Feuerbach, Nietzsche, Marx and Freud) who offered what they believed to be exhaustive psychological and sociological theories of the origin and nature of religion.
In the course of his discussion the author also engages with many contemporary thinkers whose discussions of religion have been based on these classical accounts."--BOOK JACKET.

2023-06-28