Call for papers 2024.2 - Dossier Hermeneutics of religion

Since its earliest days, the study of religion has used hermeneutics as a tool for analyzing various religious traditions and expressions. Religions are made up of symbols that must be interpreted by the religious studies scholar. These symbols are presented as texts, objects, art, prayers, among others. The way in which these symbols are interpreted is fundamental to understanding the meanings of religion, whether in its own places, such as shrines, temples, mosques and synagogues, or in other places, such as cinemas, stages, catwalks and markets. In both cases, hermeneutics helps the study of religion insofar as it provides the scholar with an interpretive access route to the religious phenomenon and its most diverse symbols, myths and rituals.

 

In addition to the interpretation of symbols, hermeneutics is also developed in philosophy as hermeneutic ontology, i.e. as that which understands “being” in relation to human understanding. In this sense, to study the hermeneutics of religion as a hermeneutic ontology of religion is to propose a theoretical analysis of the aspects of religion in relation to language. Language is the medium through which human beings access, construct and inhabit their world of meanings.

 

Based on this dual understanding, we invite researchers to contribute to this dossier with articles that focus on the hermeneutics of religion in an empirical key, such as the analysis of symbols proposed by P. Ricoeur, or in a theoretical key, such as the philosophical approach taken by M. Heidegger. Of course, the proposals do not have to fit in with these authors.

All articles will be subject to double-blind peer review, as long as they are in line with the proposed theme and the journal's rules. We are also open to receiving academic texts that explore other themes, for the general themes section, as well as book reviews. Articles submitted to this dossier must be sent through this platform by October 20, 2024.

Keywords: Philosophy of Religion. Theories of Religion. Hermeneutics.

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Coordinators:

Dr. Danilo Mendes - PhD and MA in Religious Studies and BA in Philosophy from UFJF, BA in Theology from FABAT-RJ. Post-doctoral researcher at UFPB's PPGCR with a FAPESQ-PB grant.

Doctoral student Felipe Souto - Master's in Religious Studies and Bachelor's in Philosophy from PUC-Campinas. PhD student in Religious Studies at UFJF with a sandwich research internship at the UPF Center for Philosophy and the archives of Gianni Vattimo at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona.