What’s the secret behind some people’s ability to create a life full of meaning and depth? To be able to master daily challenges with a sense of presence – to themselves and others? How do I perceive myself as a unique, independent human being? In other words; how do I increase my own life consciousness?

With existential philosophy as a backdrop, Anne-Lise Løvlie Schibbye demonstrates possibilities in our everyday life, for living the life we have been given. Her book is easily read, but at the same time deeply profound – it will definitively move the reader, also in the long term.


List of contents

Introduction
Chapter 1 Existence
Chapter 2 Essence
Chapter 3 The unoriginal
Chapter 4 Objectification
Chapter 5 Objectification, Market and Alienation
Chapter 6 Unfree choices
Chapter 7 Free choices
Chapter 8 What is angst?
Chapter 9 Angst in everyday life
Chapter 10 Death
Chapter 11 Existential Love
Chapter 12 Love and the unoriginal
Chapter 13 About building love
Chapter 14 Conclusion

Is it true that religion is weakening in modern times, or are we facing religious resurgence? What is fundamentalism? How does it emerge and grow? What role does religion play in ethnic and national conflicts? Is religion a fundamental driving force or do political leaders use religion for their own purposes? Do all religions oppress women? These are some of the questions addressed in this book.

An Introduction to the Sociology of Religion provides an overview of sociological theories of contemporary religious life. Some chapters are organized according to topic. Others offer brief presentations of classical and contemporary sociologists from Karl Marx to Zygmunt Bauman and their perspectives on social life, including religion. Throughout the book, illustrations and examples are taken from several religious traditions.