Religious thought: Its religious economy, transformation, and future

Abstract

& Idot;shak Arslan's book titled Din Dusuncesi is a distinctive and original study compared to other works on religion in Turkish literature. Rather than focusing on religion itself, Arslan employs the concept of the "religious," which he defines as a form of generalized economy between the individual and the community. According to the author, the religious is structured around a "triadic spiral" composed of sacrifice, moderation, and hope. This triad distinguishes the religious from other forms of belief and spirituality. The book discusses the relationship between religion and economy, the functions of rituals, and the transformation of religion in the modern era. While presenting hedonism as the strongest rival to religion, it does not consider atheism or deism as genuine alternatives. This review highlights certain criticisms but emphasizes that Din Dusuncesi makes an original and creative contribution to the literature.