Seven Theories of Religion - Softcover

Pals, Daniel L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0195087259 ISBN 13: 9780195087253

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1996

Synopsis

Seven Theories of Religion introduces a sequence of "classic" attempts to explain religion scientifically, presenting each in brief outline and in non-technical language. It considers first the views of E.B. Tylor and James Frazer, two Victorian pioneers in anthropology and the comparative study of religion. It explores the controversial "reductionist" approaches of Freud, Marx, and Emile Durkheim, then explains the program of their most outspoken opponent, the Romanian-American scholar Mircea Eliade. Further on, it examines certain newer methods and ideas advanced by the English ethnographer E.E. Evans-Pritchard and by the American Clifford Geertz, two of the present century's most celebrated names in fieldwork anthropology. Each chapter offers biographical background, exposition of the theory, comparative analysis, and critical assessment. Easily accessible to students in introductory religion courses, Seven Theories of Religion is an enlightening treatment of this controversial and fascinating subject.

About this title

About the Author

Daniel L. Pals is at University of Miami.

Review

"Excellent overview! I appreciated the concise summaries and appropriate bibliographies."--Stacy Patty, Lubbock Christian College

"An excellent teaching tool for serious students."--Ned Rosenbaum, Dickinson College

"It's an excellent intro to matters at the heart of religious studies."--Timothy Miller, University of Kansas

"An excellent collection introducing major theories on the natures religion".--Charles A. Kimball, Furman University--Greenville

"Pals provides an incisive and lucid overview of seven of the most influential modern theories of religion. Cutting across disciplinary lines and cutting out disciplinary jargon, his book will prove invaluable for introductory and advanced courses on the nature of religion." --Robert Segal,
Lancaster University

"Sifting the ambitions, contributions, and confusions of the most influential students of religion is exhilarating indeed: Pals is a superb tutor, his text an immensely readable tour through some tough territory. This is a judicious, enlightening, and spirited introduction."--Peter Iver
Kaufman, University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill

"An excellent review of some of the major interpretations of religion in the 20th century".--P. Mirecki, University of Kansas--Lawrence

"An excellent introduction. Fair to each theory, yet enables students to identify and analyze critical perspectives."--Robert Ellwood, University of Southern California--Los Angeles

"A very useful introduction to some classic scientific investigations of religion. A must for the bookshelf of any serious scholar."--Robert Reed, Ohio State University

"An excellent book for a class on comparative world religions. It gives a sound theoretical basis for the study of non-Western religions."--Rev. Charles Lockett, Wilberforce University

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0195087259
• ISBN 13: 9780195087253
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304