Religion, Religious: Can Anti-Definitionalists Stay Tethered to the Study of Religion?

Abstract

This important methodological intervention in the study of religion makes a com-pelling case for the indispensable role of history in the empirical study of religion. In doing so, Seiwert draws on the philosophy of science (specifically Critical Rea-lism) and makes a clear and highly useful distinction between theory and me-tatheory, as well as other key terms. As he explains (217), “ theories of religion are attempts at explaining religion. ” Metatheories, by way of contrast, reflect on “ the aims, conditions, methods, and restrictions of studying religion. ” The latter, he adds, “ cannot be separated from methodology where the methods of forming theories, conducting empirical research, and connecting theory formation with empirical research are discussed. ”