Mysticism, Spiritualitet och Rational-choice En kritisk analys av Stark och Finkes teoretiska ramverk

Abstract

This paper is a critical analysis of the theoretical framework of Stark/Finke presented in "Acts of Faith..." that exposes aspects and implications of the framework which imply that the framework ought to be modified. Amongst them, theoretical limitations that has its basis in an emphasis of the transactional aspect of religion (pertaining to transaction of commodities unavailable by other means). The modification suggested is the inclusion of experiential aspects of religion to the intrinsic ends sought by the rational agent choosing religion. Thus the experiential aspect of religion is not to be regarded as a confidenceincreasing variable, rather it is at the very center of many religious traditions. Emphasizing the experiential aspect of religion also raises the problem of why individual religiousness and experiences often transforms into socially organized groups. Both of these issues are analyzed with reference to pentecostalism and its emphasis on personal experiences. The analysis of pentecostalism indicate the importance of the inclusion of intrinsic experiential preferences to the framework of Stark/Finke and the validity of the modifications by fulfilling the evaluative criteria of the paper.