Theorizing Religions Past: Archaeology, History, and Cognition

by Harvey Whitehouse (Editor)

Historians bound by their singular stories and archaeologists bound by their material evidence don? t typically seek out broad comparative theories of religion. But recently Harvey Whitehouse? s ? modes of religiosity? theory has been attracting many scholars of past religions. Based upon universal features of human cognition, Whitehouse? s theory can provide useful comparisons across cultures and historical periods even when limited cultural data is present. In this groundbreaking volume scholars of cultures from prehistorical hunter-gatherers to 19th century Scandinavian Lutherans evaluate Whitehouse? s hypothesis that all religions tend toward either an imagistic or a doctrinal mode depending on how they are remembered and transmitted. Theorizing Religions Past provides valuable insights for all historians of religion and especially for those interested in a new cognitive method for studying the past.

Genres: Religion, History

264 pages, Paperback

Published September 15, 2004