Anthropological Interpretation of Popular Cosmology: Research Perspectives

Abstract

This paper represents a short, informative essay on current search into the connections between popular culture, science, religion and anthropology. Using the example of popular cosmology, it points to the relationship between identity, science, philosophy and religion within the framework of contemporary Western society. It also points to the significance of semiotic analysis of the popular cosmological narrative and the possibility of interpreting this narrative as a form of folklore. Furthermore, it emphasizes the social significance of popular science as such, within the contexts of the science and culture wars at the turn of the century.