Customer Reviews

Eight Theories of Religion

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I actually needed this book for my Introduction to Religion class but I'm sure I will keep it even after I am finished with the class. Pals breaks down the theories into their simpliest forms and makes them so easy to understand. He summaries each theorist's section with an analysis and a critique which makes the interpretation of the text that much easier. This is a wonderful book and I would suggest it to anyone looking for possible explanations of some of the world's most popular religions...

great book and Pals uses his creativeness to cover the major philosophers and scientists in a particular order to demonstrate intellectual evolution (intelligence evolves as time passes and we learn from previous ages) and he also brings out how the fact the philisophers (as most humans) try to "prove" THEIR experiences in life as they perceive it. The perception complicates their objectiveness. For instance, Freud was an atheist so Freud was out to prove there is no God. Freud did not want to reveal "truth" but only what HE thought was truth. Whether it is truth or not, was irrelevant to him and many others. Each philosopher builds on the previous with a critical critique of each by Pal and the others. I thought this was a great book and easy to read (unlike other philosophy books which are extremely difficult) 5 stars for Pals!

This book is really quite intriguing. You get 8 different perspectives on the origin of religion, how it is today, and what really makes it work. There are chapters on Freud, Marx, Mueller, Weber, Tylor, Frazer, and more. I quite enjoyed reading it and I kept it even after the class ended (as opposed to selling it back). I DO wish there was a Kindle version of it, because I absolutely hate the clutter of paper books now, but it does what it should :)

I purchased this book in hopes of delving into a different perspective in regards to how and why religion is so much a part of humanity. It was a nice read in that it offers eight valid theories for human reasoning and the approach to explain why we practice religion and look to higher powers. From the concept of anthropology to the socio make-up of the primitive to the complex societies, these eight seperate selections provide excellent insight. Though it certainly does not try to persuade the reader one way or the other in the belief of any particular deity, it does help one to better understand why there is a need within a tribe or more complex for such things. The book is an excellent starting point for further research and certainly encourages one to look beyond the simple answers we have come accustom to. I found the cultural anthropology quite interesting, but was not overly enthused with the use of Freud.

Refreshingly readable account of the major developments in the science of religion. An excellent introduction to the field for general audience.