THEO 107 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Reductionism, Empiricism, Scientific Method
Document Summary
Historical context of modernity and the rise of religious studies i. Modernity = 16th, 17th, 18th century change in europe: age of colonialism (1500 1950s) i. ii. iii. iv. v. Most of the globe conquered and dominated by european powers. Justified by need to bring civilization to savages . Religion = something to be exported or controlled. European power grab: age of enlightenment / age of reason i. Common goals of: progress, tolerance, empiricism, something you can measure, francis bacon"s scientific method (experiments, not chained to religious institutions - can reason for yourself, reductionism. Increased questioning of religious authority: because we have the tools to understand the world and ourselves in ways that are accurate, rationalism, positivism, early anthropology and quest for origins. Fathers of anthropology: 1871 - tylor - primitive culture, 1890 - frazer - golden baugh, social darwinism i. ii.
