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Religious conversion, philosophy, and social science

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Abstract

I argue that empirical studies into the phenomenon of religious conversion suffer from conceptual unclarity owing to an absence of philosophical contributions. I examine the relationship between definition and empirical result in the social sciences, and I show that a wide divergence in conceptual approach threatens to undermine the possibility of useful comparative study. I stake out a distinctive role for philosophical treatments of studies into religious conversion. I conclude with the suggestion that use of the terms ‘convert’ and ‘conversion’ may not in fact be conducive to clarity in the present context, and that subsequent studies may improve their precision through replacing them.

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Notes

  1. Classic studies include those of Lofland and Stark (1965), Rambo (1993), and Ullman (1989). More recent works will be discussed below. See Snook et al. (2019) for a useful survey of developments in this area.

  2. See de Cruz (2018) for an exception.

  3. See also Snow and Machalek (1984: 178–184).

  4. I include this rider here so as not to be interpreted as holding that individuals in non-scientific contexts are required to be in the possession of a precise definition in order that they be able to identify converts.

  5. McGann (2010).

  6. See Hui et al., (2017: 223) for another survey-based study involving similar methods.

  7. See Davidman (1991).

  8. See (2014: 169–174).

  9. (2014: 169).

  10. In fact, the subject was not yet a member of the Unitarian Universalist church at the time of interview; see (2014: 171).

  11. A component of this alternative definition may involve an emphasis on changes of institutional affiliation. If so, Jindra’s view clearly shares features with that of Barro and Hwang.

  12. See for example Williams (2020), and Wynn (2012).

  13. See Cottingham (2013).

  14. See Winch (1958: 17–18).

  15. My thanks to an anonymous referee for urging greater clarity here.

  16. As, for instance, proposed by Webb (2009) with the respect to the notion of a religion.

References

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  1. Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, UK

    Oliver Thomas Spinney

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  1. Oliver Thomas Spinney
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Spinney, O.T. Religious conversion, philosophy, and social science. Int J Philos Relig 94, 139–149 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11153-023-09873-2

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