Department of Anthropology and religious studies

Staff, Publications

This section deals with complex investigations of human beings and religion, as well as with teaching doctoral students. It consists of three thematic sub-groups: “Anthropology”, “Religion and National Security”, and “Philosophical Paradigms of Religion”. The first sub-group investigates human being as complex phenomenon in the context of changes within Bulgarian society in European and global context. Problems of identity, legitimacy of new power structures and their influences on human activity; relation between myth and power, rational and irrational, power and sexuality, sacred and institutions, cynicism; the issues symbolism; homelessness; globalization and changes of human beings; constructed perception of time; and inter-cultural dialog have been investigated.

The other two units within the section are dealing with complex investigations of religion, and interaction between religion and society applying interdisciplinary approach which include philosophical, sociological and psychological methods. Study of religion is carried on two levels. The focus of the first level research are general processes and changes in the role of religion in contemporary world, related to tendencies of secularization, desecularization, and development of big monotheistic religions as Catholicism, Orthodox religion, Islam, Judaism, as well as changes of organization and multiplication of religion on post-modern conditions. On the second level, a diagnosis about the state and tendencies of traditional religions in Bulgaria, and ideas about monitoring of new religion movements are being offered. Special attention is being paid to the Orthodox religion and Islam, as well as to changes in the relations between different cultures, and their impact on security. Work has been done on establishing an informational data basis on the state of religions in Bulgaria. Research has been conducted together with the Board of Ecclesiastical Matters to the Ministry Council and representatives of the main religious groups. Members of the section take part in expert activities on the state of various religions in Bulgaria.