Religion: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters

New
Illustrated
2019
$26.24

A groundbreaking new theory of religion
Religion remains an important influence in the world today, yet the social sciences are still not adequately equipped to understand and explain it. This book advances an innovative theory of religion that goes beyond the problematic theoretical paradigms of the past. Drawing on the philosophy of critical realism and personalist social theory, Christian Smith explores why humans are religious in the first place--uniquely so as a species--and offers an account of secularization and religious innovation and persistence that breaks the logjam in which religious scholarship has been stuck for so long. Certain to stimulate debate and inspire promising new avenues of scholarship, Religion features a wealth of illustrations and examples that help to make its concepts accessible to readers. This superbly written book brings sound theoretical thinking to a perennially thorny subject, and a new vitality and focus to its study.

Synopsis

A groundbreaking new theory of religion

Religion remains an important influence in the world today, yet the social sciences are still not adequately equipped to understand and explain it. This book advances an innovative theory of religion that goes beyond the problematic theoretical paradigms of the past. Drawing on the philosophy of critical realism and personalist social theory, Christian Smith explores why humans are religious in the first place--uniquely so as a species--and offers an account of secularization and religious innovation and persistence that breaks the logjam in which religious scholarship has been stuck for so long. Certain to stimulate debate and inspire promising new avenues of scholarship, Religion features a wealth of illustrations and examples that help to make its concepts accessible to readers. This superbly written book brings sound theoretical thinking to a perennially thorny subject, and a new vitality and focus to its study.

$26.24

Quantity

8 in stock

More Information

Format: Illustrated
Pages: 296
Edition: Illustrated
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Published: 23 Apr 2019
ISBN 10: 0691191646
ISBN 13: 9780691191645

Media Reviews

Articulate, accessible, and engaging, this book is recommended for students as well as seasoned scholars. --Roger Finke, Pennsylvania State University
A significant reinterpretation of religion that will be very useful to a wide range of scholars. --Ann Taves, author of Revelatory Events: Three Case Studies of the Emergence of New Spiritual Paths
[A] substantial, richly informed book. --James Ryerson, New York Times Book Review
Highly recommended. --Choice
A lucidly written book that should be widely read by students of religion. --Carl Olson, Reading Religion
Deeply informed and accessible. --Kevin Schilbrack, author of Philosophy and the Study of Religions: A Manifesto

Author Bio

Christian Smith is the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Sociology and was founding director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society at the University of Notre Dame. His books include To Flourish or Destruct: A Personalist Theory of Human Goods, Motivations, Failure, and Evil.