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Document Details : Title: De toekomst van het christelijk verleden Subtitle: Marcel Gauchet versus Charles Taylor over de essentie en de evolutie van religie Author(s): CLOOTS, André , LATRÉ, Stijn , VANHEESWIJCK, Guido Journal: Bijdragen Volume: 73 Issue: 2 Date: 2012 Pages: 143-167 DOI: 10.2143/BIJ.73.2.2172316 Abstract : In this article, we will elaborate into detail the ambiguous relation between Marcel Gauchet and Charles Taylor with respect to the role of religion in general and Christianity in particular in the rise of the secular age, as presented in respectively Le désenchantement du monde and A Secular Age. Our inquiry unfolds by multiple steps. We start by looking at the great resemblances between both books. Our path continues by examining differences in their approach. These differences are twofold. First, we will examine the strains within their at face value similar methodologies, in particular the strains between a transcendental, logical approach on the one hand and sensitivity for the inherent contingent and historical character of religious evolution on the other. Second, we will investigate the consequences of their divergent definitions of religions. This investigation leads us to focus on four aspects: the role of the Axial religions; the significance of Incarnation and Reformation; the significance of Christianity as the 'religion of the departure from religion'; the possibility of religious ‘conversion’. |
