Cumhuriyet İlahiyat Dergisi

Öz

The main aim of the
dissertation is profounding the
parameters of Phenomenology of Religion of Ninian Smart, who is accepted as the
most important religious scholars of the modern era. In this regard, especially
by applying to the Smart’s works, it has been tried to bring his understanding
of Phenomenology of Religion. The dissertation consists of an
introduction, three chapters and a conclusion.

In the introduction part; the importance,
purpose and limits of the subject, 
methods used and resources have been discussed.

In the first part; in general the emergence
and basic features of Phenomenology of Religion, basic concepts put forward by
the major religious phenomenologists and scientific position of Phenomenology
of Religion and fundamental criticisms of it have been given a place.

In the second part; the life, the scientific
personality and works of Smart then discussed, focused on how to apply
phenomenology. In this regard, the seven-dimensional model of religion that his religion/religions
fenomenological defining and investigation aproach and based on this model,
concerning religion/religions his phenomenological investigations has tried to
put forward. At the end of this part, especially evaluations for his seven-dimensional model of religion have been given.

In the third part; we have focused on methods
used by Smart in Phenomenology of Religion and his criticisms for phenomenologists of religion. After discussed the meaning
and mission of Phenomenology of Religion by Smart, basic features of his
fenomenological understanding and used concepts and methods in his
Phenomenology of Religion have been analysed. Also, his basis criticisms of
phenomenologist of religion such as Gerardus van der Leeuw, Rudolf Otto,
Joachim Wach, Mircea Eliade and Wilfred Cantwell Smith have been mentioned. At
the end of the part, evaluations for his fenomenological understanding have been given.

In the conclusion part; in the framework of
the basic assumptions which has been set out in this study, Smart’s
phenomenological understanding contributions, in general, to the field of
History of Religion and Phenomenology of Religion and its importance have been
stated in a descriptive way.