People Doing Things

Residual Subject Realism in the Study of Religion

Bibliographic Data

ID8203210
AuthorsMichael P Dejonge (0000-0001-5607-8016, University of South Florida, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume90
Issue1
Pages26-51
Publication date2022-05-20
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of the American Academy of Religion (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-7189 • E-ISSN: 1477-4585
PublisherOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/jaarel/lfac025
OpenAlexW4210946392
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited12

This article considers a common theoretical mood within the discipline of religious studies, one that is skeptical about the reality of religion but confident about the reality of people doing things. Analyzing this mood within the context of recent discussions surrounding realism, I argue that this mix of anti-realism with respect to religion and realism with respect to people doing things testifies to the lingering effects of a subject philosophy. Such residual subject-philosophical realism in turn suggests the uneven reception of structure philosophy, a way of thinking that rules out straightforward reference to the reality not only of religion but of people doing things as well. A more faithful reception of structure-philosophical insights suggests opportunities for re-theorizing the reality of religion

Aesthetics · Context (archaeology) · Critical realism (philosophy of perception) · Direct and indirect realism · Epistemology · Philosophical realism · Realism · Skepticism · Sociology · Subject (documents) · Computer Science · History · Philosophy · Religion and Society Interactions · Religious Education and Schools · Study and Philosophy of Religion

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