Paradigmenwechsel in der Religionswissenschaft? – Nachdenken über Oliver Krügers „relationales Paradigma“

Abstract

The article discusses Oliver Krüger’s thesis of a paradigm shift in the study of religion — from an Aristotelian essence-based definition toward a relational understanding of religion. The proposed umbrella term of a “relational paradigm” indeed appears to capture the shared methodological and thematic concerns of numerous recent developments in the field of religious studies. While the empirical findings based on German-language encyclopedias are persuasive, from a perspective of religious history it remains necessary to question whether these insights can be readily transferred —at a minimum — to the Western European discourse: Can the Aristotelian paradigm likewise be identified in historical encyclopedias from Italy, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom?    Furthermore, the interpretation of definitional practice as a specifically “European exception” is critically assessed, as it risks perpetuating an unreflected “Westernism.” At this point, it would be essential to more fully incorporate non-European systems of knowledge and encyclopedic traditions.