Modes of Religiosity

A Cognitive Theory of Religious Transmission

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Reference, Psychology of Religion
Cover of the book Modes of Religiosity by Harvey Whitehouse, AltaMira Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Harvey Whitehouse ISBN: 9780759115606
Publisher: AltaMira Press Publication: May 19, 2004
Imprint: AltaMira Press Language: English
Author: Harvey Whitehouse
ISBN: 9780759115606
Publisher: AltaMira Press
Publication: May 19, 2004
Imprint: AltaMira Press
Language: English

Religions_whatever else they may be_are configurations of cultural information reproduced across space and time. Beginning with this seemingly obvious fact of religious transmission, Harvey Whitehouse goes on to construct a testable theory of how religions are created, passed on, and changed. At the center of his theory are two divergent 'modes of religiosity:' the imagistic and the doctrinal. Drawing from recent advances in cognitive science, Whitehouse's theory shows how religions tend to coalesce around one of these two poles depending on how religious behaviors are remembered. In the 'imagistic mode,' rituals have a lasting impact on people's minds, haunting not only our memories but influencing the way we ruminate on religious topics. These psychological features are linked to the scale and structure of religious communities, fostering small, exclusive, and ideologically heterogeneous ritual groupings or factions. In the 'doctrinal mode', on the other hand, religious knowledge is primarily spread through intensive and repetitive teaching; religious communities are contrastingly large, inclusive, and centrally regulated. While these tendencies have long been recognized in the history of the study of religion, the modes of religiosity theory is unique in that it explains why these tendencies exist. More importantly, Whitehouse does not give the final word, but invites us to join a series of collaborative networks among anthropologists, historians, archaeologists, and psychologists, currently trying to falsify, confirm, or refine the theory. Are you tired of the flood of descriptions and interpretations of religions which offer no clear strategy for evaluation, comparison, and testing? Modes of Religiosity can provide you with a new way to think when you think about religion.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Religions_whatever else they may be_are configurations of cultural information reproduced across space and time. Beginning with this seemingly obvious fact of religious transmission, Harvey Whitehouse goes on to construct a testable theory of how religions are created, passed on, and changed. At the center of his theory are two divergent 'modes of religiosity:' the imagistic and the doctrinal. Drawing from recent advances in cognitive science, Whitehouse's theory shows how religions tend to coalesce around one of these two poles depending on how religious behaviors are remembered. In the 'imagistic mode,' rituals have a lasting impact on people's minds, haunting not only our memories but influencing the way we ruminate on religious topics. These psychological features are linked to the scale and structure of religious communities, fostering small, exclusive, and ideologically heterogeneous ritual groupings or factions. In the 'doctrinal mode', on the other hand, religious knowledge is primarily spread through intensive and repetitive teaching; religious communities are contrastingly large, inclusive, and centrally regulated. While these tendencies have long been recognized in the history of the study of religion, the modes of religiosity theory is unique in that it explains why these tendencies exist. More importantly, Whitehouse does not give the final word, but invites us to join a series of collaborative networks among anthropologists, historians, archaeologists, and psychologists, currently trying to falsify, confirm, or refine the theory. Are you tired of the flood of descriptions and interpretations of religions which offer no clear strategy for evaluation, comparison, and testing? Modes of Religiosity can provide you with a new way to think when you think about religion.

More books from AltaMira Press

Cover of the book Laibon: An Anthropologist’s Journey with Samburu Diviners in Kenya by Harvey Whitehouse
Cover of the book San Francisco by Harvey Whitehouse
Cover of the book Introduction to Eastern Thought by Harvey Whitehouse
Cover of the book Financial Resource Development and Management by Harvey Whitehouse
Cover of the book Values and Valuables by Harvey Whitehouse
Cover of the book Global Visions, Local Landscapes by Harvey Whitehouse
Cover of the book Institutional Ethnography by Harvey Whitehouse
Cover of the book Anthropologists in Arms by Harvey Whitehouse
Cover of the book Curating Archaeological Collections by Harvey Whitehouse
Cover of the book The Archaeology of Childhood by Harvey Whitehouse
Cover of the book Initiating Ethnographic Research by Harvey Whitehouse
Cover of the book Archaeology of Performance by Harvey Whitehouse
Cover of the book Composing Ethnography by Harvey Whitehouse
Cover of the book Daughters of the Goddess by Harvey Whitehouse
Cover of the book Sacred Games, Death, and Renewal in the Ancient Eastern Woodlands by Harvey Whitehouse
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy