Abstract

In modern times, religion seems to have taken leave of itself to the extent that, conversely, the scientific, rational view of the world has taken on this task. Apparently there is an exclusive relationship between the two, which makes peaceful and equal coexistence more or less impossible. In this volume of the "Philosophy and Psychology in Dialogue" series, Martin Klüners and Jörn Rüsen analyze the role religion plays in human existence and life. While Klüners interprets religion historically as a "pre-scientific" soul science and sees the antagonism of the principle of reality and pleasure as responsible for the opposition of reason and belief, Rüsen locates religion within historical thought. Like history itself, religion appears to be a significant factor in the cultural orientation of human life practice.