Prolegomena of a Theory and History of Religious Evolution

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The project develops a theory of religious evolution that is firmly rooted in the Study of Religion. It will at the same time live up to both the general theory of evolution and the theory of societal differentiation.In doing so, the following aspects will be taken into account:• Religion is historicized without using periodization and teleological assumptions. Furthermore, it is understood as an emerging socio-cultural phenomenon – an understanding that helps avoid essentialization.• Particularities of individual religions are examined in the light of overarching characteristics of the history of religion, allowing the project to consider different religious forms and to unfold a generic understanding of the term religion, which opens up comparative perspectives.• The Study of Religion approach is part of the Cultural Studies and Social Sciences, while at the same time it is mediated with theories from the Natural Sciences. This opens up alleys of enquiry for the reconstruction of the development of religion, while ensuring due consideration for interactions with the socio-cultural, mental, biological, and physical evolution as its environmental correlates.Recourse to the structural sciences – particularly systems theory, semiotics and informational theory – will be taken to accomplish these goals.Work on the monograph is accompanied by a website. This online presence serves as a means for in-advance publication of individual chapters and allows for comments, which in turn provides valuable feedback to optimize the process of writing previous to publication in print.