K metodologii studia náboženství se zvláštním ohledem na roli filozofie náboženství a na postavení teologie

After describing problems associated with naming the subject of Religious Studies the author defines its objective as the study of religions in their doctrinal, experiential, dynamic and social aspects and proceeds to discuss its main methodological approaches, viz. historical, phenomenological and comparative. His attention then turns to the problems with forming theories as aids in interpreting religions and forming programmes for future research. Supported by the views of some participants in recent methodological discussions, he regards formation of theories as unavoidable in the comparative study and interpretation of religions and it is his contention that this being, basically, already the province of philosophy of religion, this discipline must be regarded as a legitimate part of the scene of religious studies. He then discusses the wider preoccupations of philosophy of religion as a part of the scene of philosophy, as an academic discipline in its own right, and its specific task within the field of Religious Studies, and concludes that while all its results are subject to tests and evisions, theology retains an element of faith exempt from such procedures and is therefore an object and not a part of Religious Studies. He then tries to show how forming a theory or a working hypothesis could work. As an example he singles out the problem posited by messages of religions about the higher dimensions of existence, culminating in an absolute (personal or impersonal) reality, which may be conveniently covered by the umbrella concept of the transcendent, and tries to respond to the challenge of its ontological referent.