Impulse der Ritualforschung

Abstract

Ritual dynamics is the title of a new research program and of an international congress recently held in Heidelberg. More generally, the potentially innovative dynamic of rituals is a marked feature of current research on rituals that emphasizes the innovative and generative strength of rituals. This has not gone unnoticed by practitioners in a number of fields, including medicine and economics, who seek inspiration from what ritualized practices can deliver not only for individuals but also for their relationships and organizations. Rituals, as performances, need not be religious but they still have inherent properties relevant for many everyday contexts. They narrow down choices and thereby create commitment but they can also preserve implicit knowledge and put the practitioner back into the center of attention.