A critique of "religion" as a cross-cultural category1
In: Method & Theory in the Study of ReligionSearch for other papers by Timothy Fitzgerald in
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Abstract
This article has three related purposes. One is to argue the inadequacy of the concept of religion as an analytical concept. I point to vagueness and imprecision in the use of the notion of religion in religious studies texts and I also refer to my own research in India and Japan to substantiate my claim that religion is virtually useless as a cross-cultural analytical concept. The second purpose is to suggest ways of representing and re-representing the extensive and important work which is being produced by scholars who work in religion departments. I also try to place my argument in a wider context of western ideology. I conclude that the confusion generated by the concept of religion cannot be explained only as a category mistake. Instead, it is better understood as a form of mystification generated by its disguised ideological function.
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A critique of "religion" as a cross-cultural category1
In: Method & Theory in the Study of ReligionSearch for other papers by Timothy Fitzgerald in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
This article has three related purposes. One is to argue the inadequacy of the concept of religion as an analytical concept. I point to vagueness and imprecision in the use of the notion of religion in religious studies texts and I also refer to my own research in India and Japan to substantiate my claim that religion is virtually useless as a cross-cultural analytical concept. The second purpose is to suggest ways of representing and re-representing the extensive and important work which is being produced by scholars who work in religion departments. I also try to place my argument in a wider context of western ideology. I conclude that the confusion generated by the concept of religion cannot be explained only as a category mistake. Instead, it is better understood as a form of mystification generated by its disguised ideological function.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 2385 | 461 | 21 |
| Full Text Views | 980 | 95 | 3 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 1647 | 221 | 5 |
