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Reconstructing Eliade is a concept-by-concept analysis of the thought of Mircea Eliade and a re-evaluation of his analysis of religion. It illustrates how a thorough familiarity with Eliade's work can produce an interpretation of his thought as systematic, coherent, and fully rational. Part One provides an analysis of the terms of Eliade's understanding of religion--hierophany, the sacred and the dialectic of the sacred and profane, homo religiosus, myths and symbols--and thus of the meaning of religion implied throughout his work. Part Two inspects various problems which arise in light of this analysis, particularly relativism and the role of commitment. Part Three applies this analysis to certain problems--religion in the modern world and Eliade's unfinished analysis of the modern, the postmodern phenomenon, implicit religion, and various related problems in the study of religion. Far from being outmoded and inadequate, Eliade's thought is suggested to be fertile ground for the reconception of religious realities in the contemporary world.
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Reconstructing Eliade : Making Sense of Religion Rennie, Bryan S. State University of New York Press 0791427633 9780791427637 9780585043289 English Eliade, Mircea,--1907- , Religion--Study and teaching-History--20th century. 1996 BL43.E4R45 1996eb 200/.92 Eliade, Mircea,--1907- , Religion--Study and teaching-History--20th century.
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Reconstructing Eliade Making Sense of Religion by BRYAN S. RENNIE Foreword by Mac Linscott Ricketts
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Published by State University of New York Press, Albany © 1996 State University of New York All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher. For information, address State University of New York Press, State University Plaza, Albany, N.Y., 12246 Production by Cathleen Collins Marketing by Theresa Abad Swierzowski Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Rennie, Bryan S., 1954Reconstructing Eliade : making sense of religion / by Bryan S. Rennie ; foreword by Mac Linscott Ricketts. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7914-2763-3 (alk. paper). ISBN 0-7914-2764-1 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Eliade, Mircea, 19071986. 2. ReligionStudy and teaching History20th century. I. Title. BL43.E4R45 1996 200'.92dc20 95-12358 CIP 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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CONTENTS Foreword by Mac Linscott Ricketts
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Acknowledgments
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Part One. The Implicit Meaning of Religion Introduction
1
1. Hierophany
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2. The Sacred
17
3. The Dialectic of the Sacred and the Profane
27
4. The Coincidentia Oppositorum
33
5. Homo Religiosus
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6. Symbols and Symbolism
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7. Myths and Mythology
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8. Illud TempusTime by Any Other Name
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9. History and the Historical
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10. Some Initial Conclusions
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Part Two. Previous and Potential Criticisms Introduction
119
11. Relativism
121
12. The Retreat to Commitment
133
13. Eliade's Political Involvement
143
14. Schola