Religion as Social Reality. A Take on the Emic–Etic Debate in Light of John Searle’s Philosophy of Society

In this article I argue that the shift from a private to a public–social understanding of religion raises new ontological and epistemological questions for the scientific study of religion\s. These questions are deeply related to three central features of the emic– etic debate, namely the problems of intentionality, objectivity, and comparison. Focusing on these interrelated issues, I discuss the potential of John Searle’s philoso- phy of society for the scientific study of religion\s. Considering the role of intentional- ity at the social level, I present Searle’s concept of “social ontology” and discuss its epistemological implications. To clarify Searle’s position regarding the objectivity of the social sciences, I propose a heuristic model contrasting different stances within the scientific study of religion\s. Finally, I explore some problematic aspects of Searle’s views for a comparative study of religion\s, and sketch a solution within his frame- work. I shall argue that a distinction between the epistemological and ontological dimensions of religious affairs would help clarify the issues at stake in the past and future of the emic–etic debate.

Henry Duke of Norfolk [Material gráfico] : hereditary earl Marshall of England obit 1701

Resumen: Descripción: retrato de tres cuartos de figura mirando de frente

Charter of 1650, 1650 May 31

Original charter dated May 31, 1650. The charter is engrossed on sheepskin and signed by Thomas Dudley.

Ledger for the Classes of 1650-1663, 1649-1660

The leather-bound volume contains accounts for the Classes of 1650-1663 and Fellows. Many of the student bills were settled with payment in kind, often in the form of grain, apples, or livestock. The Steward's accounts with the College from 1656-1659 were entered on pages 295-303 and listed as "The steward is Creditor" and "The steward is Debitor." Credit entries include food, fuel, corn, and wages; debit entries list purchases and often identify the sellers.

Bond between John Leverett and Elisha Cooke to John White, Treasurer of Harvard College, 1716 November 20

Two folio-sized leaves containing a one-and-a-half page copy of the bond between John Leverett and Elisha Cooke to John White, Treasurer of Harvard, for £200. The bond was witnessed by William Austin and Mary Gilbert. An October 3, 1726 receipt of payment from Nathaniel Byfield on the bond, signed by Treasurer Edward Hutchinson, is located on the verso of the first leaf.

Harvard College Charter of 1650 (eighteenth-century manuscript copy), undated

Two folio-sized leaves containing a four-page copy of the Harvard College Charter of 1650.

No. 2 Extract from the Charter of 1650, [1799]

Two octavo-sized leaves containing a one-page handwritten copy of the section of the Charter of 1650 providing tax exemptions to Harvard College officers. The transcription is signed as a "True copy" by President Willard.

The examination of John Owen late of New Jersey brought before me Jeremiah Langhorne ..., 1725

Title from first line of text.