Document Type : Research
Author
* PhD Candidate in Political Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
The present article offers a critical review of Wasserstrom's book "Religion After Religion", examining its main themes, methodological approaches, and scholarly impacts. The primary objective of this article was to assess how Wasserstrom portrays the contributions of Scholem, Eliade, and Corbin to modern religious thought, particularly their shared focus on mysticism, symbolism, and the phenomenological study of religion. Utilizing text-based content analysis of the book, this research examined Wasserstrom's use of the concept "Religion After Religion" and his critical engagement with the scholars' ideological commitments and methodological choices. The findings highlighted significant strengths, such as Wasserstrom's comprehensive historical context and interdisciplinary approach, but also raised notable criticisms. These include ambiguity in defining "Religion After Religion," which blurs the boundaries between personal spirituality, academic inquiry, and ideological commitments, raising questions about the concept's coherence as an analytical category. Additionally, the overemphasis on mysticism often overshadows critical historical analysis, particularly in Scholem's works, and an insufficient critique of the ethical dimensions of the scholars' political ideologies limits the depth of Wasserstrom's analysis. This review emphasizes the need for a more balanced and precise engagement with the complex interplay between mysticism, history, and politics in modern religious studies.
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