Vocabulary for the Study of Religion
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Subject: Religious Studies
Edited by: Robert A. Segal & Kocku von Stuckrad.
The Vocabulary for the Study of Religion offers a unique overview of critical terms in the study of religion(s). This first dictionary in English covers a broad spectrum of theoretical topics used in the academic study of religion, including those from adjacent disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, historiography, theology, philology, literary studies, psychology, philosophy, cultural studies, and political sciences.
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The Vocabulary for the Study of Religion offers a unique overview of critical terms in the study of religion(s). This first dictionary in English covers a broad spectrum of theoretical topics used in the academic study of religion, including those from adjacent disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, historiography, theology, philology, literary studies, psychology, philosophy, cultural studies, and political sciences.
Subscriptions: Brill.com
Pacifism
(1,651 words)
Abstract: “Pacifism” has many diverse meanings and uses, ranging from the usual sense of strong principled opposition to war and warfare, along with a central commitment focused on working for peace,…
Date:
2014-09-16
Paganism
(3,931 words)
Abstract: Modern varieties of paganism are considered first, then the leading European polytheisms before the dominance of Christianity and Islam. The meaning of the term
pagan is examined in relation to its roots in Latin
paganus and …
Pain
(4,938 words)
Abstract: Pain and suffering point to one central feature of the
conditio humana: the imperfection of man. Pain and suffering are to be avoided and alleviated. In the context of ritual and religion, however, the …
Pantheism
(3,415 words)
Abstract: Pantheism is a metaphysical and religious position. Broadly defined it is the view that (1) “God is everything and everything is God … the world is either identical with God or in some way …
Date:
2014-09-16
Participant Observation
(1,213 words)
Abstract: Participant observation is a largely informal method used by cultural anthropologists to study other cultures. Anthropologists consider participant observation to be their signature methodo…
Date:
2014-09-16
Peak Experience
(1,536 words)
Abstract: This entry summarizes Abraham Maslow’s psychology of religion with respect to human motivation, self-actualization, and “peak experiences,” and it discusses the critical reception of Maslow…
Performance / Performativity
(4,130 words)
Abstract: Performance has become a key concept across many academic disciplines. It first emerged in linguistics, as a way to study the social functions of speech, as opposed to its linguistic struct…
Person / Personality
(4,099 words)
Abstract: The term personality as used by psychologists is distinguished from lay usage. The aims of research on personality are outlined. The person/situation debate that has been so influential in …