The Science of Religion in Poland: Past and Present

Abstract

An analysis of the development of the science of religion in Poland distinguishes between two different periods in its history. The first covers the years 1873 to 1973, while the second began in 1974 and continues until today. Each of these dates, 1873 (see also Ponistoeski, 1979) and 1974, are significant in the history of the development of the discipline. The year 1873 is recognized as a starting point for the Polish science of religion because of the appearance of two important pub lications: Adolf Dygasinski ( 1839-1902) translated into Polish F. Max Miiller's Introduction to the Science of Religion (1873) and the journal Wedrowiec [The Wanderer] published Dygasinski's translation of Muller's The Philosophy of Mythology in three consecutive issues. Be cause of these translations, Muller's methodological approach to the study of religion was made available to the academic community. It should be recognized, however, that there had been in Poland, prior to 1873, a broad, if somewhat dispersed, historical and philosophical inquiry into religion. (The significant publications in religion of the period prior to 1873 have been analyzed by P. O. Szolc [1971].) The next essential stage for the study of religion occurred in 1974. Jagiellonian University established the Institute for the Study of Reli gion. It was the first academic, interdisciplinary, non-confessional institute in the country which focused upon the research and teach ing of a variety of religious traditions. In an attempt to understand contemporary religions scientifically, the Institute for the Study of Religion established research programs directed toward empirically analyzing trends in the development of contemporary religiosity. The first teaching program offered at the Institute was a three year doc toral program. Participants in the program were required to have a Masters degree. Their degrees were often achieved in other disci plines such as philosophy, history, or languages. Beginning in the