The state, the gods and the imagination; or, David Graeber as a theorist of religion

This short article suggests that the writings of the recently deceased anthropologist David Graeber have a great deal to contribute to the study of religion. Drawing from a wide array of works by Graeber and his collaborators, the article sketches out his basic social theory, focusing on his insistence on the creative dimension of human social activity. It then focuses on the relevance of religion – specifically, the fabrication and modification of ‘metahuman persons’ – for the creation of new social forms. Finally, the implications of this theoretical framework are sketched out – that is, that the study of religion should focus on its creative and imaginative aspects.