"Hypothesis as Theory: The Obstinate Nostrums in Biblical Studies and the Humanities

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dc.contributor.author Chester (Biblical scholar), Ryan
dc.date.accessioned 2024-03-08T18:25:32Z
dc.date.available 2024-03-08T18:25:32Z
dc.date.issued 2023-02-11
dc.identifier.citation Chester, Ryan. "Hypothesis as Theory: The Obstinate Nostrums in Biblical Studies and the Humanities." Paper presented at the Shaking the Tree, Breaking the Bough: Frazer’s Golden Bough at 100, Melbourne, Australia, February 11, 2023. In New Age Movements, Occultism, and Spiritualism Research Library. Archives and Special Collections. Valdosta State University. Valdosta, GA. en_US
dc.identifier.other 3F61CC65-6B9D-B0AC-4130-4E500BA5FC3A
dc.identifier.uri https://hdl.handle.net/10428/7088
dc.identifier.uri https://youtu.be/jm7DOw468wE
dc.description 1 video file. ms150-40-011_chester-ryan_hypothosis_2023-02-11.mp4 .mp4 1.44 GB 1,547,598,807 en_US
dc.description.abstract The idea of religious studies and religion convenes at the intersection of anachronism, pragmatism, and the non sequitur. The religious concept itself, although sanctioned with formal authority, is nonetheless premised on a problematic dialectic. This paper investigates the dilemma and its ongoing impact on biblical studies and the humanities. In particular, the study will interact with Frazer’s monograph, The Golden Bough, and its retentive legacy on the idea of religion, the supposed nature of religion, the origin of law, and the notion of the sacred and profane. The first section explores a selection of possible latent roots behind Frazer’s assertions, including: dialectics in philosophy; law and scholarship as the domain of ontological superiority; and the rift between the divine and mortal. These apprehensions amalgamate into an intellectualized worldview uncoupled from the world or the text it alleges to explain. The second section explores religion, biblical studies, and the humanities within this epistemological milieu by briefly highlighting three suppositions: law (justice and legislation), holy and profane (states of being), and theodicy (good and evil). Far from a full treatment, this paper suggests such constructs are questionable hypotheses treated as conclusive theories. The paper closes by discussing the continuing impression Fraser (and others like Durkheim and Eliade) have left on the field of biblical studies and the humanities, and the need to critically reevaluate such hypotheses based on the arguments provided. en_US
dc.format.mimetype video/mp4 en_US
dc.language.iso en_US en_US
dc.publisher New Age Movements, Occultism, and Spiritualism Research Library en_US
dc.relation.ispartofseries MS/150/40/;011
dc.rights Permission to post this digital asset provided by Ryan Chester to the Valdosta State University Archives & Special Collections to be part of the New Age Movements, Occultism, and Spiritualism Research Library. en_US
dc.subject Frazer, James George, 1854-1941--Philosophy en_US
dc.subject Bible--Study and teaching en_US
dc.subject Religion and the humanities en_US
dc.subject Frazer, James George, 1854-1941. Golden bough. Abridged en_US
dc.subject Video recordings en_US
dc.subject Conference papers and proceedings en_US
dc.subject Literary criticism en_US
dc.title "Hypothesis as Theory: The Obstinate Nostrums in Biblical Studies and the Humanities en_US
dc.title.alternative "Hypothesis as Theory: The Obstinate Nostrums in Biblical Studies and the Humanities." Paper presented at the Shaking the Tree, Breaking the Bough: Frazer’s Golden Bough at 100, Melbourne, Australia, February 11, 2023. en_US
dc.type Video en_US


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