a mode of behavior or way

of thought peculiar to an
individual: one of his little
idiosyncrasies was always
preferring to be in the car
first.
• a distinctive or peculiar
feature or characteristic of a
place or thing: the
idiosyncrasies of the prison
system.
• Medicine an abnormal
physical reaction by an
individual to a food or drug.

No advance in theoretical
approach to religion

Two important claims:

1. No theoretical advance in study of religion
2. Study of religion in anthropology draws from narrowly defined intellectual
traditions (so far)
 Text

How to move ahead? Broadening the scope of anthropology of

religion established by these four scholars
see how Geertz uses the works of philosophers and
scholars from other disciplines to support his arguments
n develop his conceptual framework.
 What’s the point here?

we lack theoretical framework.

Needs for a precision of the concept we use