Bruno Latour’s Beings of Religion

Bruno Latour proposes a plurality of ontologies by distinguishing distinct modes of existence, each with its own type of existent. One mode is religion, which involves invisible “beings of religion” that transform the self, unlike psychogenic beings that constitute the self and can be addressed through therapeutic or ritual cures. Beings of religion are engaged through contemplative practices such as prayer, meditation, or ceremony, which enable transformation. This article argues that Latour’s concept of beings of religion offers potential for religious studies and illustrates this with a Latourian description of ayahuasca ceremonies.

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Abstract

Latour constructs a plurality of ontologies by distinguishing various modes of existence with their own type of existent. One of these modes of existence is religion, which involves invisible “beings of religion.” Latour criticizes both psychological and (onto)theological interpretations of such beings. He distinguishes between psychogenic beings that constitute the self, and beings of religion that transform the self. Whereas psychogenic beings can be addressed through therapeutic or ritual procedures that can provide cure, beings of religion can be addressed through contemplative practices of prayer, meditation, or ceremony that can transform. This article argues that Latour’s beings of religion may have much potential for religious studies and presents a Latourian description of ayahuasca ceremonies as a case study.