The Structure of Religious Knowing

John D. Dadosky

Description

This definitive study brings together the thought of Romanian religious scholar Mircea Eliade with that of Canadian philosopher and theologian Bernard Lonergan to identify the general structure of religious knowing. Applying Lonergan's fourfold levels of consciousness as an interpretive framework, the author elicits a clearer understanding of Eliade's theories of the sacred by treating four principle themes: the experience of the sacred; the sacred as expressed in religious symbols; the fundamental reality of the sacred; and life in the sacred as religious transformation, ritual, and mystical personalities. In addition, the book addresses the relationship between theology and religious studies as distinct but complimentary disciplines, and the interdisciplinary foundations for cooperation among the world's religions.

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Introduction

Scope and Content
Parameters of the Study

1. Significant Moments in the Historical Development of the Study of Religion and Religious Experience

Introduction
1. Schleiermacher and The Feeling of Absolute Dependence
2. Rudolf Otto and The Idea of the Holy

Mysterium tremendum et fascinans

3. Gerardus Van der Leeuw: Phenomenology of Religion
4. Mircea Eliade and the Study of the Sacred
Conclusion

2. Lonergan on the Relationship between Theology and the History of Religions

Introduction
1. Lonergan's Encounter with Eliade
2. The Turn to the Subject's Religious Horizon
3. The Relationship between Theology and the History of Religions
4. The Coming Convergence of World Religions
5. Eliade's New Humanism
Conclusion

3. Lonergan's Theory of Consciousness as Hermeneutic Framework

Introduction
1. Patterns of Operations
2. Patterns of Experience
3. Differentiations of Consciousness
4. Transformations of Consciousness—Conversion
5. Lonergan's Theory of Consciousness as Hermeneutic Framework

The Upper Blade

4. The Experience of the Sacred

Introduction
1. The Encounter with the Sacred

1.1 Coincidentia Oppositorum
1.2 Hierophany
1.3 The Paradoxical Relationship between the Sacred and the Profane

2. The Experience of the Sacred: A Lonergan Perspective

2.1 Coincidentia Oppositorum: An Analysis
2.2 The Sacred and Profane and Lonergan's Theory of Consciousness

Conclusion

5. Understanding the Sacred through Religious Symbols

Introduction
1. Sacred Symbols

1.1 Recovering Sacred Symbols
1.2 The Symbolism of the Center

2. Lonergan and Symbolism

2.1 Elemental Symbols in Lonergan's Theory of Consciousness
2.2 Psychic Conversion and the Recovery of Sacred Symbols

Conclusion

6. The Sacred as Real: An Analysis of Eliade's Ontology of the Sacred

Introduction
1. The Ontological Status of the Sacred

1.1 The Sacred as "the Real"
1.2 Sacred Myth and Reality
1.3 A Platonic Ontology?

2. Lonergan's Philosophy and the Sacred and the Profane

2.1 The Unrestricted Act of Understanding
2.2 The Subject's Full Religious Horizon

Conclusion

7. Living in the Sacred

Introduction
1. Eliade: Living in the Sacred

1.1 The Transformative Power of the Sacred
1.2 Homo Religiosus
1.3 The Sacred Life of the Shaman

2. Living in the Sacred and Lonergan's Notion of Self-Transcendence

2.1 Transformations of Consciousness and the Sacred
2.2 Differentiations of Consciousness

Conclusion

8. Eliade and Lonergan: Mutual Enrichment

Synopsis
Prospects

Toward a Fuller Philosophy of God
Toward the Foundations for Religious Convergence
A Final Note

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Sujets

• Philosophie
• Philosophie de la religion
• Religion
• Christianisme
• Christianity
• Philosophy of religion
• Theology

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 29 mars 2004
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780791485187
• Langue: English

Extrait

The Structure of Religious Knowing

Encountering the Sacred in Eliade and Lonergan

John D. Dadosky

The Structure of Religious Knowing

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The Structure of Religious Knowing

Encountering the Sacred in Eliade and Lonergan



John D. Dadosky

STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK PRESS

Published by State University of New York Press, Albany

© 2004 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, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207

Production by Christine L. Hamel Marketing by Michael Campochiaro

Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data

Dadosky, John Daniel, 1966– The structure of religious knowing : encountering the sacred in Eliade and Lonergan / John D. Dadosky. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index. ISBN 0-7914-6061-4 1. Knowledge, Theory of (Religion) 2. Experience (Religion) 3. Holy, The. 4. Eliade, Mircea, 1907–5. Lonergan, Bernard J. F. I. Title.

BL51.D23 2004 212'.6—dc22

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

2003062635

In loving memory of my brother Mark E. Dadosky (1955–1980) who introduced me to the wonder of the stars

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Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

C O N T E N T S

Introduction Scope and Content Parameters of the Study

1. Significant Moments in the Historical Development of the Study of Religion and Religious Experience Introduction 1. Schleiermacher and The Feeling of Absolute Dependence 2. Rudolf Otto andThe Idea of the Holy Mysterium tremendum et fascinans 3. Gerardus Van der Leeuw: Phenomenology of Religion 4. Mircea Eliade and the Study of the Sacred Conclusion

2. Lonergan on the Relationship between Theology and the History of Religions Introduction 1. Lonergan’s Encounter with Eliade 2. The Turn to the Subject’s Religious Horizon 3. The Relationship between Theology and the History of Religions 4. The Coming Convergence of World Religions 5. Eliade’s New Humanism Conclusion

vii

xi

xiii

1 3 4

7 7 9 13 15 16 21 24

27 27 27 28

33 39 42 43

viii

Contents

3. Lonergan’s Theory of Consciousness as Hermeneutic Framework Introduction 1. Patterns of Operations 2. Patterns of Experience 3. Differentiations of Consciousness 4. Transformations of Consciousness—Conversion 5. Lonergan’s Theory of Consciousness as Hermeneutic Framework The Upper Blade

4. The Experience of the Sacred Introduction 1. The Encounter with the Sacred 1.1Coincidentia Oppositorum 1.2 Hierophany 1.3 The Paradoxical Relationship between the Sacred and the Profane 2. The Experience of the Sacred: A Lonergan Perspective 2.1Coincidentia Oppositorum:An Analysis 2.2 The Sacred and Profane and Lonergan’s Theory of Consciousness Conclusion

5. Understanding the Sacred through Religious Symbols Introduction 1. Sacred Symbols 1.1 Recovering Sacred Symbols 1.2 The Symbolism of the Center 2. Lonergan and Symbolism 2.1 Elemental Symbols in Lonergan’s Theory of Consciousness 2.2 Psychic Conversion and the Recovery of Sacred Symbols Conclusion

6. The Sacred as Real: An Analysis of Eliade’s Ontology of the Sacred Introduction

45 45 45 49 51 55

58 60

63 63 63 63 67

69 71 71

76 80

83 83 84 87 88 92

93

94 97

99 99

Contents

1. The Ontological Status of the Sacred 1.1 The Sacred as “the Real” 1.2 Sacred Myth and Reality 1.3 A Platonic Ontology? 2. Lonergan’s Philosophy and the Sacred and the Profane 2.1 The Unrestricted Act of Understanding 2.2 The Subject’s Full Religious Horizon Conclusion

7. Living in the Sacred Introduction 1. Eliade: Living in the Sacred 1.1 The Transformative Power of the Sacred 1.2Homo Religiosus 1.3 The Sacred Life of the Shaman 2. Living in the Sacred and Lonergan’s Notion of Self-Transcendence 2.1 Transformations of Consciousness and the Sacred 2.2 Differentiations of Consciousness Conclusion

8. Eliade and Lonergan: Mutual Enrichment Synopsis Prospects Toward a Fuller Philosophy of God Toward the Foundations for Religious Convergence A Final Note

Notes

Bibliography

Index

i

x

100 100 102 105 107 108 112 117

119 119 119 119 121 125

129 129 132 136

139 139 142 142 144 145

147

171

181