The Stark-Bainbridge Theory of Religion

A Critical Analysis and Counter Proposals

Dados Bibliográficos

ID5075615
AutoresRoy Wallis (Queen's University Belfast), Steve Bruce (Queen's University Belfast)
Ano1984
Volume45
Fascículo1
Páginas11
Data de publicação1984-01-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSociological Analysis (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0038-0210 • E-ISSN: 2325-7873
EditoraOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2307/3711319
OpenAlexW2340082683
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas25
Referências citadas6

This paper analyses the Stark-Bainbridge theory of religion to show that it contains substantial internal difficulties and unwarranted assumptions. We show that it is not compatible with a closer evaluation of the evidence deployed in its defence, and that an alternative theory accounts for much of that evidence without reliance upon such assumptions. The difficulties of the Stark-Bainbridge theory stem from its reductionism, reducing religious belief to this-worldly considerations, and from the interpretive distance between Stark-Bainbridge and the actors whose beliefs and behaviour they seek to explain

Economics · Epistemology · Positive economics · Reductionism · Sociology · Philosophy · Religion and Society Interactions · Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices · Study and Philosophy of Religion