Individualisation and religion: A theoretical analysis based on Elias, Simmel, and Durkheim for the contemporary chilean religious context

Abstract

Through a theoretical dialogue between Elias, Simmel, and Durkheim, this article examines how the dynamics of individualism manifest in religious practices in Chile. It argues that these perspectives provide a conceptual framework for interpreting phenomena such as religious individualism and religious optionality in the contemporary Chilean context. First, the analysis focuses on Elias's theory, which, while not specifically conceptualising the religious phenomenon, offers valuable tools for its analysis, as detailed here. Secondly, it explores Simmel's contributions to understanding the religious phenomenon, alongside his analyses of individualism, interaction in urban life, and the development of trust at the social level. Additionally, attention is given to the lived religion approach in Latin American context, dure to its emphasis on the personal dimension of religious life. Finally, the conclusions highlight the presence of an individualism characterised by an autonomous and personal relationship with the religious phenomenon, which, at the same time, retains a relational character, as it is grounded in the interpersonal bonds that individuals develop and maintain.