Religion and axiality: theological reflections on Robert N. Bellah's Axial Age hypothesis

The article addresses controversial questions related to Robert N. Bellah's Religion in Human Evolution: From the Paleolithic to the Axial Age (2011), and the sequel, The Axial Age and its Consequences (2012). Discussed is the difference between the macro-historical hypothesis of an axial age a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scottish journal of theology
Main Author: Gregersen, Niels Henrik 1956- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Cambridge Univ. Press [2017]
In: Scottish journal of theology
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Bellah, Robert N. 1927-2013 / Religion / Rise of / Development / Axial Age
RelBib Classification:AD Sociology of religion; religious policy
AG Religious life; material religion
TA History
Further subjects:B canonicity
B Robert N. Bellah
B axiality
B Ritual
B Religious Evolution
B Axial Age
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Volltext (doi)
Description
Summary:The article addresses controversial questions related to Robert N. Bellah's Religion in Human Evolution: From the Paleolithic to the Axial Age (2011), and the sequel, The Axial Age and its Consequences (2012). Discussed is the difference between the macro-historical hypothesis of an axial age and more abstract aspects of axiality. Critical questions are raised about whether Bellah's theory of the emergence of religion in play and ritual does not underestimate the cognitive functions of pre-axial religion. Finally, Bellah's project raises questions as to the creative transitions taking place in post-axial epochs, not least due to the development of canonical traditions in the first centuries ce, and to the emergence of concepts of autonomous individuals in early modernity.
ISSN:1475-3065
Contains:Enthalten in: Scottish journal of theology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1017/S0036930616000478