THERE - Theory and Empiricism of Religious Evolution

18/03/2021

In the end it takes just 321 pages, 69 mostly colourful images and 1511 endnotes to give an in-depth insight into the evolution of religion, as done so by Volkhard Krech in his latest publication, published only days ago.

His book is entitled "Die Evolution der Religion. Ein soziologischer Grundriss [The Evolution of Religion. A Sociological Outline]" and published with transcript, Bielefeld.

In this mayor publication Krech discusses the origin and the developments of religion from a new angle: He resists to repeat the often heard phenomenological path in echoing religious voices when speaking about the origins of religions. At the same time he avoids to dissolve religion by explaining it by a bunch of non-religious aspects among which political or economic factors are only two. Instead he chooses another less drawn way: He understands religion as societal subsystem, as special communication that origins and exists between human beings.

Read more about his theory in the open access German version of the book here: https://www.transcript-verlag.de/978-3-8376-5785-2/die-evolution-der-religion/?c=313000000

An English version is soon to be translated.

07/01/2019

Both parts of THERE research program now online.

For a fresh intelectual start in the new year we put the second of the two-parted research program online on the THERE website.

The second part was recently published by Volkhard Krech in the Zeitschrift für Religionswissenschaft 26 (2018/2).

Find the research program in English here: https://there.ceres.rub.de/en/research_program/

14/12/2018

Given the time of year references to deers and reindeers are frequent. However, Volkhard Krech ingeniuosly explaines some developments of religious evolution in his recent radio interview with regard to possible functions of deer antlers for humans.

Interviewed by German national broadcaster Deutschlandfunk he gives insights into the history of religions and explains the aims of his research project THERE.

Find the interview here in German:

Wie ist Religion entstanden? Und wann haben sich Religionen zu dem entwickelt, was wir heute kennen? Die Evolution der Religion erklären – diese Aufgabe ist so komplex, dass ein Mensch sie nicht allein bewältigen kann, meint der Religionswissenschaftler Volkhard Krech. Er versucht es trotzdem.

22/06/2018

Interested in more information on the THERE research progam? Find a plentyful of insights into how the research is designed in the presentation "THERE - Aspects of a Research Program" given at the international conference "Evolution and Transcendence Philosophical, Scientific, and Religious Perspectives" at the Catholic Academy Berlin 20th of June.

Find the presentation here: https://there.ceres.rub.de/en/research_program/
or directly herehttps://static.ceres.rub.de/media/filer_public/ec/28/ec286d9d-306c-4c18-8d70-2694daf08615/201806_there_vortrag_krech_berlin.pdf

09/05/2018

The THERE project is looking forward to be part of a thrilling conference with internationally renowned experts on "Evolution and Transcendence
Philosophical, Scientific, and Religious Perspectives". The conference is to be held at and by the Katholische Akademie Berlin on 18 - 21 June 2018.

Find more information (German/English) here: https://www.katholische-akademie-berlin.de/1:7078/Veranstaltungen/2018/06/38015_Evolution-and-Transcendence.html

Participation is free. Please register on the website below.

Naturwissenschaften entzaubern die Welt. Welchen Status besitzen aber Fragen nach Sinn, Wert oder Gott in einer von Naturwissenschaften dominierten Kultur? Die Frage nach dem Glauben als Faktor im Evolutionsprozess erlaubt neue, konstruktive Perspektiven

23/04/2018

One of the first public presentations that highlights the research program of THERE was delivered at the Archäologiemuseum in Bochum's neighboring town of Herne during a workshop of archeologists and researchers of religious studies a couple of days ago. Good start to begin with the very old.

19/04/2018

Everyone who is interested in the analysis of religious evolution is invited to share comments on relevant literature here:
https://t.co/XTDmfR4V3g
Please, feel free to share this info with others on Facebook, Twitter, and other relevant Social Media.

In order to stimulate the discussion, all colleagues dealing with the research of religious evolution are invited to submit literature advices and comments. Both scientific monographies, anthologies, as well as articles from the whole range of academic disciplines are to be considered. Even comments...

18/04/2018

Everyone who is interested in the analysis of religious evolution is invited to comment on the research program "Theory and Empiricism of Religious Evolution (THERE)" here: http://book.there.ceres.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/works/there/index
Please, click the < button on the right side and register at "Hypothesis" via the person icon.
Fell free to share this info with others on Facebook, Twitter, and other Social Media. 🤗

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18/04/2018

18/04/2018

A FRESH START FOR A NEW PROJECT

Today, the new website of the project THERE - Theory and Empiricism of Religious Evolution was launched.

Every researcher working on the evolution of religion(s) is invited to contribute to project

- by commenting the work-in-progress research program,
- and by sending in literature suggestions and comments.

Find more on the website

The project THERE - Theory and Empiriscm of Religious Evolution is funded by the DFG in the Reinhart Koselleck program line. It develops a theory of religious evolution that is firmly rooted in religious studies (German: Religionswissenschaft). It will at the same time give consideration to both the...