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On the chances and problems of a differentiation theory for the study of religion.

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Which distinctions characterize the global discourse of religion? Adrian Hermann proposes a twofold change of perspective in the debate about the eurocentrism of the concept of ´religion´ and the possible identification of its non-Western equivalents. He argues that the search for such equivalents should be replaced by an analysis of the emergence of hypothetical equivalences in historical processes of translation. On the basis of a distinction between theory-of-religion and discourse-theoretical approaches, Hermann describes ´religion´ not as a phenomenon, but as a global discourse. ´Plurality´ and ´differentiation´ are identified as two central distinctions of religion. In light of this perspective, he investigates discourses of ´religion´ in the context of Buddhist modernism, especially in 19th century Thailand. Drawing on Niklas Luhmann´s world society theory, Hermann concludes the study by discussing the challenges of developing a theory of modernity in Religious Studies and the possibility of writing a ´global history of religion´.

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Hermann, Adrian
Dr. phil. Adrian Hermann ist Juniorprofessor für Missions-, Ökumene- und Religionswissenschaft an der Universität Hamburg.

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