The Sacred and The Profane | Mircea Eliade

The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion

Accolades & Praise

• Foundational Text: Widely considered a groundbreaking and essential work for the study of comparative religion.
• Authoritative Voice: Written by one of the most acclaimed historians of the twentieth century.

Extended Synopsis

In The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion, Mircea Eliade observes that while contemporary people often believe their world is entirely profane or secular, they still find themselves connected unconsciously to the memory of something sacred. This profound premise drives a masterful and exhaustive exploration of how the sacred has manifested throughout human history.

Translated by Willard R. Trask, the text examines how the sacred reveals itself through space, time, nature, and the cosmos across both primitive and modern societies. By analyzing myths, symbols, and rituals, Eliade buttresses an expansive view of the human experience, demonstrating that the need for the sacred remains an integral part of human consciousness regardless of societal advancement.

About the Author

Mircea Eliade was one of the most acclaimed historians of religion of his time. His extensive academic work on myth, symbol, and ritual has heavily influenced the modern study of the history of religions and comparative theology.

Reader Targeting

• Students and scholars of comparative religion, theology, and philosophy.
• Readers interested in the history of myth, ritual, and human spirituality.
• Those looking to understand the psychological and historical roots of religious experiences in secular societies.

Bibliographic & Physical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main premise of The Sacred and the Profane?
The book argues that despite living in a secular or "profane" modern world, humans remain unconsciously connected to the sacred, which manifests across time, space, and nature.

Who is the intended audience for this book?
It is an essential read for anyone studying comparative religion, anthropology, history, or philosophy, as well as general readers interested in how mythology and ritual shape human experience.

Does this book focus on one specific religion?
No, the text takes a comparative approach, exploring how the sacred manifests across a wide variety of primitive and modern societies and beliefs.

Bust-Down Books: More Than a Bookstore