Temples of Modernityuses ethnographic data to investigate the presence of religious ideas and practices in Indian science and engineering. Geraci shows 1) how the integration of religion, science and technology undergirds pre- and post-independence Indian nationalism, 2) that traditional icons and rituals remain relevant in elite scientific communities, and 3) that transhumanist ideas now percolate within Indian visions of science and technology. This work identifies the intersection of religion, science, and technology as a worldwide phenomenon and suggests that the study of such interactions should be enriched through attention to the real experiences of people across the globe.

Robert M. Geraci is professor of religious studies at Manhattan College.

Introduction

1. Navigating Science and Technology in Bangalore

2. Religious Science and the Building of a Nation

3. Nationalism and the Political Enchantment of Technology

4. Hindu Icons, Images, and Rituals in Scientific Spaces

5. Indias Transhumanist Landscapes

6. Reinventing Religion, Reimagining Science