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Euhemerism in France of the 18th – 19th Сenturies: A Research Method or a Polemical Tool (the Case of J.A.S. Collin de Plancy). / Bruk, E.G.

In: Religiovedenie, Vol. 2024, No. 3, 29.09.2024, p. 103-109.

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@article{a97c7bb337de4a99b432da9eea3a610d,
title = "Euhemerism in France of the 18th – 19th Сenturies: A Research Method or a Polemical Tool (the Case of J.A.S. Collin de Plancy)",
abstract = "The article analyzes J.А.S. Collin de Plancy{\textquoteright}s convictions, presented in his two most famous works: “Infernal Dictionary” (1818) and “Critical Dictionary of Relics and Miraculous Images” (1821). In his works, the French author gave special attention to the reasons for the origin of both religion in general and various particular religious phenomena (belief in magic, worship of the remains of ancient heroes, the cult of saints and much more). Euhemerism played an important role in the Collin de Plancy{\textquoteright}s theory. It played a dual role. On the one hand, the euhemeristic theory served as a method of “scientific” explanation for the emergence of the cult of ancient “minor gods”. On the other hand, it served as a tool for criticizing the veneration of relics as a part of the “fight against superstitions” after the manner of Enlightenment philosophers. The article analyzes in detail both lines of development of euhemerism, in particular those transformations that the “historical interpretation” underwent in the 18th century. The duality and eclecticism of the Collin de Plancy{\textquoteright}s views was manifested not only in his attitude to euhemerism, but also in relation to religion in general. The ideas of the Enlightenment in the works of the French author were combined with views close to Protestantism. Such eclecticism and duality of the Collin de Plancy{\textquoteright}s position caused an ambiguous assessment of his heritage in the context of the history of freethinking and philosophy of religion. This statement could be confirmed by the failed attempt to publish a “Critical Dictionary of Relics and Miraculous Images” in the Soviet Union in the 1920s – 1930s. {\textcopyright} 2024, Amur State University. All rights reserved.",
keywords = "age of Enlightenment, criticism of superstitions, cult of saints, euhemerism, J.A.S. Collin de Plancy, “Critical Dictionary of Relics and Miraculous Images”, J.A.S. Collin de Plancy, age of Enlightenment, criticism of superstitions, cult of saints, euhemerism, “Critical Dictionary of Relics and Miraculous Images”",
author = "E.G. Bruk",
note = "Export Date: 18 November 2024",
year = "2024",
month = sep,
day = "29",
doi = "10.22250/2072-8662-2024-3-103-109",
language = "русский",
volume = "2024",
pages = "103--109",
journal = "РЕЛИГИОВЕДЕНИЕ",
issn = "2072-8662",
publisher = "Издательство Амурского государственного университета",
number = "3",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Euhemerism in France of the 18th – 19th Сenturies: A Research Method or a Polemical Tool (the Case of J.A.S. Collin de Plancy)

AU - Bruk, E.G.

N1 - Export Date: 18 November 2024

PY - 2024/9/29

Y1 - 2024/9/29

N2 - The article analyzes J.А.S. Collin de Plancy’s convictions, presented in his two most famous works: “Infernal Dictionary” (1818) and “Critical Dictionary of Relics and Miraculous Images” (1821). In his works, the French author gave special attention to the reasons for the origin of both religion in general and various particular religious phenomena (belief in magic, worship of the remains of ancient heroes, the cult of saints and much more). Euhemerism played an important role in the Collin de Plancy’s theory. It played a dual role. On the one hand, the euhemeristic theory served as a method of “scientific” explanation for the emergence of the cult of ancient “minor gods”. On the other hand, it served as a tool for criticizing the veneration of relics as a part of the “fight against superstitions” after the manner of Enlightenment philosophers. The article analyzes in detail both lines of development of euhemerism, in particular those transformations that the “historical interpretation” underwent in the 18th century. The duality and eclecticism of the Collin de Plancy’s views was manifested not only in his attitude to euhemerism, but also in relation to religion in general. The ideas of the Enlightenment in the works of the French author were combined with views close to Protestantism. Such eclecticism and duality of the Collin de Plancy’s position caused an ambiguous assessment of his heritage in the context of the history of freethinking and philosophy of religion. This statement could be confirmed by the failed attempt to publish a “Critical Dictionary of Relics and Miraculous Images” in the Soviet Union in the 1920s – 1930s. © 2024, Amur State University. All rights reserved.

AB - The article analyzes J.А.S. Collin de Plancy’s convictions, presented in his two most famous works: “Infernal Dictionary” (1818) and “Critical Dictionary of Relics and Miraculous Images” (1821). In his works, the French author gave special attention to the reasons for the origin of both religion in general and various particular religious phenomena (belief in magic, worship of the remains of ancient heroes, the cult of saints and much more). Euhemerism played an important role in the Collin de Plancy’s theory. It played a dual role. On the one hand, the euhemeristic theory served as a method of “scientific” explanation for the emergence of the cult of ancient “minor gods”. On the other hand, it served as a tool for criticizing the veneration of relics as a part of the “fight against superstitions” after the manner of Enlightenment philosophers. The article analyzes in detail both lines of development of euhemerism, in particular those transformations that the “historical interpretation” underwent in the 18th century. The duality and eclecticism of the Collin de Plancy’s views was manifested not only in his attitude to euhemerism, but also in relation to religion in general. The ideas of the Enlightenment in the works of the French author were combined with views close to Protestantism. Such eclecticism and duality of the Collin de Plancy’s position caused an ambiguous assessment of his heritage in the context of the history of freethinking and philosophy of religion. This statement could be confirmed by the failed attempt to publish a “Critical Dictionary of Relics and Miraculous Images” in the Soviet Union in the 1920s – 1930s. © 2024, Amur State University. All rights reserved.

KW - age of Enlightenment

KW - criticism of superstitions

KW - cult of saints

KW - euhemerism

KW - J.A.S. Collin de Plancy

KW - “Critical Dictionary of Relics and Miraculous Images”

KW - J.A.S. Collin de Plancy

KW - age of Enlightenment

KW - criticism of superstitions

KW - cult of saints

KW - euhemerism

KW - “Critical Dictionary of Relics and Miraculous Images”

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/b4953b14-62fa-3ad8-a365-de86bb729b0d/

U2 - 10.22250/2072-8662-2024-3-103-109

DO - 10.22250/2072-8662-2024-3-103-109

M3 - статья

VL - 2024

SP - 103

EP - 109

JO - РЕЛИГИОВЕДЕНИЕ

JF - РЕЛИГИОВЕДЕНИЕ

SN - 2072-8662

IS - 3

ER -

ID: 127407526