Secularity as a background understanding : an outline of Charles Taylor’s standpoint

In this paper I present Charles Taylor’s innovative approach to the issue of secularity. Following José Casanova, I distinguish three layers of analysis: (a) the notion of secularity and secularization; (b) theories of secularization; and (c) secularism. In further discussion I point out three senses of secularity used by Taylor: (a) secularity as an emancipation of public spheres; (b) secularity as a decline in religious practice and belief; (c) secularity as a background understanding (or as conditions of belief). I concentrate particularly on the last dimension due to the fact that it reflects the originality of Taylor’s account. In the next stage the three elements which decide about the secular character of the background understanding are presented ("reflexivity", "the immanent frame", and "the decline of the transformation perspective"). Finally I try to point out the pros and cons of Taylor’s approach