ABSTRACT

Over the last two decades, the term “canon” has become something of a buzzword in cultural circles. In the humanities—particularly in literary theory and the study of religion—the “canon” dispute has spawned a truly gargantuan body of writing. The social sciences, too, have increasingly adopted this concept, though its meaning remains very much in flux. However, two features of the term's physiognomy have become particularly noticeable in the short period of time it has been in vogue.