Nine Theories of Religion

by Daniel L. Pals

Why do human beings believe in divinities? Why do some seek eternal life, while others seek escape from recurring lives? Why do the beliefs and behaviors we typically call "religious" so deeply affect the human personality and so subtly weave their way through human society?

Revised and updated in this third edition, Nine Theories of Religion considers how these fundamental questions have engaged the most important thinkers of the modern era. Accessible, systematic, and succinct, it considers the Victorian anthropology of E. B. Tylor and J. G. Frazer, the "reductionist" social science of Sigmund Freud, Emile Durkheim, and Karl Marx, the non-reductionist approaches of Max Weber, William James, and Mircea Eliade, and the alternative paradigms that have arisen from the work of E. E. Evans-Pritchard and Clifford Geertz. The third edition features a new chapter on William James. Each chapter offers biographical background, theoretical exposition, conceptual analysis, and critical assessment.

Ideal as a supplementary text in introductory religion courses or as the main text in theory and method in religious studies or in sociology of religion courses, Nine Theories of Religion, Third Edition, offers an illuminating treatment of this controversial and fascinating subject. It can be used as a stand-alone text or with the author's companion reader, Introducing Religion: Readings from the Classic Theorists.

Genres: Religion, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Theology, History, Psychology, Read For School

384 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2014

Reviews

[Kaleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good, very thought provoking. Nine different theories on religion, it’s origin, what it’s there for etc. I thought Freud’s was the coolest; in prehistory human tribes had one patriarch, but all his sons got jealous of him, so they ate him, but then they felt really guilty, so they found a totem to replace him and started worshipping it. It’s insane and I don’t think it happened, but it’s still cool.

[Sarah]

Had to read 8/9 of the theories for class and I was gonna be damned if I didn’t read the last one so that I could mark it on good reads because I needed some kind of reward for having this much academic reading in one week

[oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

giving myself credit for textbooks on goodreads has gotta be one of my favorite activities. anyway this is one of the most humbling books ever because you're learning a theory and you're like, yeah, i can see it, this makes sense, and then BAM the critique section

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pals does a really nice job here of giving in-depth analyses of nine major theorists of religion, and eloquently shows how various theorists have built on the traditions of others in constructing their own work. The interconnected nature of theorists and theories is no easy thing to describe, but Pals does this very nicely, and in a very analytic fashion that illustrates major arguments while also pointing to other useful readings and resources to explore about each theorist covered. The chapters are actually very breezy and quick to get through, without any sacrifice in terms of depth. There looks like a lot of text on the pages, and the book itself seems a bit long, but the chapters themselves are actually very easy to get through, and the deliberate structure that Pals provides to guide each chapter makes them simple to proceed through and connect together. This still isn't necessarily casual reading, per se, but it makes the whole endeavor a lot more palatable and enjoyable to get through.

[Tiffany Ung · Rating 4 out of 5]

thought provoking and a good introduction to renowned theorists. however, tends to overgeneralize the role of religion on both individuals and societies. also distinctly western-centric. there is a lot of room to discuss asian, african, and other indigenous religions. presenting more research contrasting the role of religion across societies would convey a more fleshed out discussion on the function of religion across time and space.

[Maile Olson]

read for my sociology of religion class. it was very informative, but i drew issue from the continual use of "primitive" to refer to indigenous communities. it reinforces white superiority and saviorism that theorists such as Evans-Prichard become hypocritical. i understand if the different theorists used that term, but in 2015 the author doesn't need to use this word as well

[Corey Wozniak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, and exceedingly clear.

I passed on the newer edition ("Ten Theories") because it was too expensive. I will buy "Eleven Theories", however, if there's a new chapter on cognitive science and religion.

[Hany Abdelmalek · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a challenging read, Freud's theory is still shocking even for today's secular culture. I find Pals' analysis (and critique) at the end of each chapter very helpful.

[Cassy]

* Read for seminar

[Drew Tschirki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to read this for a class. It was interesting enough. I enjoyed learning the theories presented but I liked Pals critiques as well. It’s a fine introductory book to religious theory.

[Kate Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did what it was meant to do. And what not

[Anaum Virani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was a pain in the ass to read for a class but I actually reference it a lot lmao. Great intersection of theological theory, psychology, social theory etc

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great syntheses; not for everyone

[Rajni Khelawan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book on different lens studying religion. Though very disappointed that feminist perspective even on other editions was not considered important to add (every other perspective was). So, for this reason, gave it only 4 stars. Nevertheless, an important book to the Study of Religion.

[Ian Grantham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've just finished reading Nine Theories of Religion by Daniel L. Pals.

Daniel L. Pals was Professor of Religious Studies and History at the University of Miami, Florida when he wrote this book. It has since been superseded by a more recent publication, Ten Theories of Religion, which includes the work of Mary Daly, the American radical feminist philosopher and theologian.

I read this book out of a growing interest in the 'bigger picture' of religion, and I have to admit with something of an agenda. I had already read William James's The Varieties of Religious Experience and this whetted my appetite for a greater understanding of other theories of religion.

I approached this as a person of faith with the view that surely religion has some inherent value, purpose, and meaning, and therefore as such a benefit to humankind. Of course this runs contrary to all of the reductionist claims of atheists, but I can't help but intuit that the attempts by many in the West to dispense with religion are narrow minded, maybe even a sign of a culture in decline.

In that regard I found the book engaging and helpful, covering as it does the nine predominant theories of religion taken from work by thinkers in the fields of anthropology, sociology, and psychology. I believe it will even help me to discern the difference between 'helpful' and 'unhelpful' religion.

Pals writes in an easy to understand and accessible style. Each theory is covered within a chapter, in which Pals explains the life and background of each of the theorists before providing an overview of their theories. He then goes on to give an analysis of the key points together with a critique and summary. Each chapter concludes with a detailed bibliography.

Overall then as I see it a well written, useful and informative book.

[Chase Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book for a method and theories of Religion class and it was honestly hard to read at some points but Pals did a great job of doing a summary at the end of each chapter and critiquing it semi-objectively. Some of the major theorist had interesting beliefs

[Jakob]

tl;dr:
Tylor & Frazer: Neutral evil
Freud: Chaotic evil
Durkheim: Lawful good
Marx: Lawful evil
Weber: Chaotic neutral
James: Neutral good
Eliade: Chaotic good
Evans-Pritchard: Lawful neutral
Geertz: True neutral