Ninian Smart and His Phenomenology of Religion

Abstract

The main aim of the dissertation is profounding the parameters of Phenomenology of Religion of Ninian Smart, who is accepted as the most important religious scholars of the modern era. In this regard, especially by applying to the Smart's works, it has been tried to bring his understanding of Phenomenology of Religion. The dissertation consists of an introduction, three chapters and a conclusion. In the introduction part; the importance, purpose and limits of the subject, methods used and resources have been discussed. In the first part; in general the emergence and basic features of Phenomenology of Religion, basic concepts put forward by the major religious phenomenologists and scientific position of Phenomenology of Religion and fundamental criticisms of it have been given a place. In the second part; the life, the scientific personality and works of Smart then discussed, focused on how to apply phenomenology. In this regard, the seven-dimensional model of religion that his religion/religions fenomenological defining and investigation aproach and based on this model, concerning religion/religions his phenomenological investigations has tried to put forward. At the end of this part, especially evaluations for his seven-dimensional model of religion have been given. In the third part; we have focused on methods used by Smart in Phenomenology of Religion and his criticisms for phenomenologists of religion. After discussed the meaning and mission of Phenomenology of Religion by Smart, basic features of his fenomenological understanding and used concepts and methods in his Phenomenology of Religion have been analysed. Also, his basis criticisms of phenomenologist of religion such as Gerardus van der Leeuw, Rudolf Otto, Joachim Wach, Mircea Eliade and Wilfred Cantwell Smith have been mentioned. At the end of the part, evaluations for his fenomenological understanding have been given. In the conclusion part; in the framework of the basic assumptions which has been set out in this study, Smart's phenomenological understanding contributions, in general, to the field of History of Religion and Phenomenology of Religion and its importance have been stated in a descriptive way.