Library Talks – Lionel Obadia – The Anthropology of Religions

Lionel Obadia will present his book Anthropology of Religions (La Découverte, 2024) at an event organized by the Maison des Sciences de l’Homme. The presentation will be followed by a book signing session.

Since its origins in the 19th century, social and cultural anthropology has closely studied religious phenomena, exploring their origins, forms, and variations. The anthropology of religions thus developed through the study of belief systems such as magic, witchcraft, animism, totemism, and shamanism, relying on specific empirical objects: myths, rituals, beliefs, representations, and social organizations. These investigations have helped to develop theories and methods that give this discipline a unique position within religious studies and the broader humanities. The rapid and profound changes experienced by societies in the 21st century provide an opportunity to reaffirm the relevance of the anthropology of religions while renewing its perspectives and fields of study.

Lionel Obadia is a professor of anthropology at Lumière University Lyon 2 and a member of LARHRA. He is the author of about ten books, includingLa sorcellerie : mythes et réalités (Le Cavalier bleu, 2022), La spiritualité (La Découverte, 2023), and Idées reçues sur les zombies (Le Cavalier bleu, 2023).

For more information, please visit the website of MSH Ange-Guépin.