History and phenomenology in the science of religion

Abstract

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, numerous theories emerged to address the nature and origin of religion. However, the exclusionary conclusions of these theories led to criticisms labeling them as "reductionist" and prompted calls for a new approach that acknowledges the sacred and transcendent dimensions of religion. Raffaele Pettazzoni, a notable historian of religions, advocated for the development of a new and independent field of study that examines religion without relying on reductionist concepts. To enhance objectivity, Pettazzoni adopted the phenomenological approach, emphasizing the suspension of biases. Despite this, he recognized the potential for epistemological integration between phenomenology and the history of religions, stressing the importance of historical analysis in understanding the origins and development of religion. This article aims to explore Pettazzoni's stance on the interplay between historical and phenomenological approaches and the potential for their reconciliation, ultimately contributing to the establishment of the history of religions as an independent discipline within the human and social sciences.