Rethinking religion : connecting cognition and culture /

Critical of those who reject explanatory theories of religion and embrace interpretative approaches (e.g., Eliade, Otto), Lawson (Western Michigan University) and McCauley (Emory University) propose a cognitive approach that recognizes the interaction of explanation and interpretation. They draw upon the insights of intellectual, symbolic, and structural theories of religion and, using an analogy between language and ritual, present a formal system for the representation of actions that can be coupled with a religious conceptual scheme (e.g., sacred texts, myths, theologies) to yield universal principles for all religious ritual systems. Central to their understanding of rituals is the contention that they involve "the inclusion of culturally postulated superhuman agents." Contrary to the positions of Dan Sperber (Rethinking Symbolism, CH, Mar'76) and Frits Staal, they defend the meaningfulness of religious rituals by appeal to what they label "reflexive holism." Incorporating recent studies in the cognitive sciences, this is a highly creative, suggestive, pioneering, and difficult work that will please some, frustrate others, and challenge many. Fortunately, the authors have provided a good introduction as well as helpful summaries at the start of each chapter. Indispensable for larger academic libraries. Includes structural charts, notes, references, and index. -L. J. Putnam, Heidelberg College