L’objet « laïcité ». Questionnements transdisciplinaires d’une spécificité française ?

Abstract

This paper focuses on the impact of the specific model of separation between religion and state adopted in France and on questions and analyses led by French researchers about the issue of laïcité. Numerous intersecting questions, themes and temporalities prove that this model influences their research and imply assumptions which weaken any potential objectivity. The study also examines attempts made by scientists to correct this analytical subjectivity. It finally postulates a recent convergence between French and European researchers’ approaches to secularization. This work is based on the analysis of studies of some fifty researchers in the social sciences and the humanities.

Keywords

• axiology
• laïcité
• objectivity
• secularisation