Religion for a Secular Age

Max Müller, Swami Vivekananda and Vedānta

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Religious, Theology
Cover of the book Religion for a Secular Age by Thomas J. Green, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Thomas J. Green ISBN: 9781317067627
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: April 14, 2016
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Thomas J. Green
ISBN: 9781317067627
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: April 14, 2016
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Religion for a Secular Age provides a transnational history of modern Vedānta through a comparative study of two of its most important exponents, Friedrich Max Muller (1823–1900) and Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902). This book explains why Vedānta's appeal spanned the ostensibly very different contexts of colonial India and Victorian Britain and America, and how this ancient form of thought was translated by Muller and Vivekananda into a modern form of philosophy or religion. These religiously-committed men attempted to reconcile religion with modernity by appealing to Advaita (literally, 'non-dualistic') Vedānta's monistic interpretation of reality. The 'scientific' study of religion allegedly demonstrated the evolutionary superiority of Vedānta and the possibility of religion's survival in 'the light of modern science'. They believed Vedānta could also provide the religious basis for moral engagement in this world, even as the hold of orthodox Christianity and traditional Hinduism appeared to be weakening. Vedānta thus served as a way of articulating a form of religion suitable for a secular age – religion which has embraced modern forms of thought while breaking away from creeds, scriptures and institutions to thrive in the spheres of public debate of London, Calcutta and New York.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Religion for a Secular Age provides a transnational history of modern Vedānta through a comparative study of two of its most important exponents, Friedrich Max Muller (1823–1900) and Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902). This book explains why Vedānta's appeal spanned the ostensibly very different contexts of colonial India and Victorian Britain and America, and how this ancient form of thought was translated by Muller and Vivekananda into a modern form of philosophy or religion. These religiously-committed men attempted to reconcile religion with modernity by appealing to Advaita (literally, 'non-dualistic') Vedānta's monistic interpretation of reality. The 'scientific' study of religion allegedly demonstrated the evolutionary superiority of Vedānta and the possibility of religion's survival in 'the light of modern science'. They believed Vedānta could also provide the religious basis for moral engagement in this world, even as the hold of orthodox Christianity and traditional Hinduism appeared to be weakening. Vedānta thus served as a way of articulating a form of religion suitable for a secular age – religion which has embraced modern forms of thought while breaking away from creeds, scriptures and institutions to thrive in the spheres of public debate of London, Calcutta and New York.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Refiguring History by Thomas J. Green
Cover of the book Peace Journalism Principles and Practices by Thomas J. Green
Cover of the book Net Works by Thomas J. Green
Cover of the book Invisible Crisis of Contemporary Society by Thomas J. Green
Cover of the book Landscapes and Communities on the Pacific Rim: From Asia to the Pacific Northwest by Thomas J. Green
Cover of the book Individuality in Late Antiquity by Thomas J. Green
Cover of the book Norway Outside the European Union by Thomas J. Green
Cover of the book Women and Mental Health by Thomas J. Green
Cover of the book A Dictionary of English Surnames by Thomas J. Green
Cover of the book Life-Span Development and Behavior by Thomas J. Green
Cover of the book Valuing the Field: Child Welfare in an International Context by Thomas J. Green
Cover of the book Charles I by Thomas J. Green
Cover of the book The Routledge History of Italian Americans by Thomas J. Green
Cover of the book Muslim Women Online by Thomas J. Green
Cover of the book Experimental Philosophy and the Birth of Empirical Science by Thomas J. Green
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy