Liturgical Rituals as Shared Intentional Practices 1

Abstract

In my paper I argue that liturgical rituals presuppose shared intentions, beliefs and goals on behalf of the participants. Even if there are different roles in liturgy (priests, deacons, ‘normal’ believers), there is no intentional asymmetry between ‘performers’ and ‘followers’. My account of liturgical rituals as shared activities of participants with shared intentions, beliefs and goals requires a modification of Gärdenfors’ understanding of rituals as tools of learning.