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Engaging philosophically with Afro-Brazilian religions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 April 2025

José Eduardo Porcher Open the ORCID record for José Eduardo Porcher [Opens in a new window]
José Eduardo Porcher*
Affiliation:
Department of Philosophy, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
*
Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

This introduction outlines the motivation and significance of the first special issue dedicated to engaging philosophically with Afro-Brazilian religions in an Anglophone journal of philosophy. It traces the project’s origins, inspired by a need to diversify the philosophy of religion beyond traditional Western paradigms, and explores how Afro-Brazilian traditions like Candomblé and Umbanda challenge the discipline’s predominant focus on belief and intellectualized theism. By examining their ritual-centric practices, embodied epistemologies, and syncretic dynamics, the special issue demonstrates how these underrepresented traditions can enrich philosophical debates on metaphysics, epistemology, and religious diversity. The introduction also highlights the interdisciplinary methodology employed, emphasizing the integration of cultural anthropology and ethnography to explore emic concepts, rituals, and mythic narratives. This special issue seeks to inspire further philosophical engagement with Afro-Brazilian traditions and other neglected religious practices.

Keywords

Afro-Brazilian religionsembodimentreligious pluralismmythic narrativessemantic reduction
Type
Introduction
Information
Religious Studies , Volume 61 , Special Issue 2: Featuring articles on Engaging Philosophically with Afro-Brazilian Religions , June 2025 , pp. 448 - 452
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press.

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