Deutungshoheit der Religionen? Weltanschauung und Wirtschaft im Horizont globaler Institutionen und in Auseinandersetzung mit der Ethik von Eilert Herms

What roles do and should religions play in globalised institutions? The ethical theory of Eilert Herms insists that religions are fundamental for understanding how societies function. His approach is based on phenomenological insights on the nature of religious experience. We examine his work and show how from his theory of religion he develops a social theory in which politics, economics and science are dependent on the educational functions of religions and world-views. With regard to the challenges that globalisation presents this position attains strong relevance and requires careful analysis in comparing it with alternative theories. In sum it is argued that Herms breaks ground in conceptualising the salience of the pluralistic nature of those processes which form world views and hence societal goals. At the same time we show how his work needs to be differentiated by comparing it with other social theories and by clarifying the need to strengthen the role and potential of critical reflection. [PUB ABSTRACT]