Toward a Metanarrative of Postmodernity. Philippe Portier on Religious Thought and Social Science in the Post-Secular Era. Article Review: Portier P. (2025) Pensée religieuse et sciences sociales en régime de post-sécularité. Une analyse à partir d’un “grand récit” sociologique. Recherches de Science Religieuse. Vol. 113. No. 3. P. 492―505. https://doi.org/10.3917/rsr.253.0092

Abstract

This review analyzes the main points of the article by renowned French political scientist and sociologist Philippe Portier, “Religious Thought and Social Sciences in a Post-Secular Era.” His analysis, based on a sociological “metanarrative,” (Pensée religieuse et sciences sociales en régime de post-sécularité. Une analyse à partir d’un “grand récit” sociologique.) is an important source for understanding the current state of social science on religion. Contemporary society is developing in a post-secular environment that does not abolish secularization, but is characterized by a complex interaction and interpenetration of religious and secular principles in public space. By revisiting the concepts of analyzing religion in contemporary society in its multi-layered connection with other social institutions, Philippe Portier's approach represents an important step toward a contemporary understanding of the role of religion in modern society. The limitation of Philippe Portier's analysis to interactions with the Catholic Church precludes his assessment of religious diversity even in this region, but leaves room for further research on this issue.