Reason, religion and modernity: Gadamer-Habermas debate

Contents

Introduction .................................................... 1
1.1 Chapter Plan of the Book ..................................... 4
References ...................................................... 6
2 Modernisation, Modernity, Liberalism and Religion ................ 7
2.1 Criticisms of Modernisation Theory ............................ 14
References ...................................................... 15
3 Marxian Critique of Religion ..................................... 17
3.1 Antonio Gramsci ............................................ 22
3.2 Louis Althusser ............................................. 24
References ...................................................... 25
4 Early Habermas’s Critique of Gadamer and His Later Approach
to Religion ...................................................... 27
References ...................................................... 35
5 The Gadamer-Habermas Debate and Its Implication for Religion .... 37
References ...................................................... 41
6 Post-secularism, Liberalism and Their Discontents ................. 43
6.1 Post-secular Theory and Pre-secular Societies ................... 46
References ...................................................... 47
7 Conclusion ..................................................... 49
7.1 Can ‘Fusion of Horizons’ Avert ‘Clash of Civilisations’: Is It
Possible? ................................................... 50
7.1.1 Degrees of Secularisation and Variants of Modernity ....... 52
References ...................................................... 55

This book deals with the question of understanding religion and its relationship with politics in the context of developing countries. It reviews specific theories, such as modernisation theory, marxism, liberalism, hermeneutics and critical approach to explain questions related to religion and religious traditions. The book focuses on the recent attempts to theorise religion by Jurgen Habermas. It argues modernisation and orthodox Marxian theory are inadequate in understanding the recent spurt of religious phenomenon in politics. It discusses Hans-Georg Gadamer’s view to show a way forward regarding dialectical hermeneutics in facilitating a dialogue between different traditions and religions. The book is of interest to students, scholars, practitioners of development, and all those who concern themselves with the questions of religion, tradition, modernity and secular well-being in developing countries such as India and beyond.