Rethinking religious collectivities: “Collective intentionality” in the study of religion
FBK Aula Piccola
Fondazione Bruno Kessler - Polo delle Scienze Umane e sociali
Aula Piccola
FBK Aula Piccola
Fondazione Bruno Kessler - Polo delle Scienze Umane e sociali
Aula Piccola
Sociological research on religion in the second half of the twentieth century has placed a strong focus on individual religiosity as the epitome of religion in late modernity. In the early 21st century, renewed interest has surfaced for religious collectivities. However, theoretical reflection in this area has not kept pace with this renewed interest. In this talk, I suggest drawing on the philosophical analysis of social ontology and collective intentionality to revive empirical work on collective forms of religiosity. I will argue for a strong concept of religious collectivity distinct from the sum of individual practitioners, while steering away from holistic metaphysical conceptions. I will illustrate my ideas with empirical examples from my previous and ongoing research projects on religion and technology, and on religion and risk.
Speakers
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Andrea Rota - SpeakerAndrea Rota is a professor of the study of religion at the Department of Culture, Religion, Asia and Middle Eastern Studies (IKOS), University of Oslo. He is the current coordinator of the IKOS Religion and Politics research center. He recently published the monograph "Collective Intentionality and the Study of Religion: Social Ontology and Empirical Research" (Bloomsbury Academic, 2023) and edited the volume "Religion and Academia Reframed: Connecting Religion, Science, and Society in the Long Sixties" (Brill, 2023)
Registration
Registration to this event is mandatory.
RegisterThe event will be held in English.
The presentation will take place in presence in the Aula Piccola FBK while places are available and online.
Registration is mandatory by 11 April 2025 at 12 noon.