The sociology of the mystique. Ernst troeltsch’s third type
András Máthé-Tóth
Erdélyi Társadalom 2007 DOI: 10.17177/77171.80 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Troeltsch's category of mysticism functions as a cultural-analytic concept that, in Troeltsch's view, justifies the constructive presence of religion in the formation of modern society and in dealing with its difficulties. The paper also contends that Troeltsch's three institutional types - non-authoritative church, sect, and mysticism - offer programmatic starting points suited to modern contexts, and presents Troeltsch as an unfairly forgotten figure in the sociology of religion. |
Abstract
Ernst Troeltsch classified religious institutions into three categories: church, sects and mysticism. The three categories that we might consider as programmatic starting points indicate problematic fields in Troeltsch’s work. In all three fields Troeltsch finds what could be suitable for modern contexts: the non-authoritative church, the sect which provides religious variety and the mystique that grounds and supports the individual. The study is aimed to discuss the third type. In order to understand this type, the author deals with Troeltsch’s (an unfairly forgotten person in the sociology of religion field) path of life, his academic interest, his personal and professional relationship with Max Weber, and his influence upon William James Troeltsch. The mysticism is a cultural-analyzing category for Troeltsch, which, in his opinion, justifies the constructive presence of religion in the formation of modern society and in dealing with its difficulties