Hans Mol

Hans Mol (1922 – 2017) was a Dutch-Canadian sociologist known for his work on identity and religion. He developed a theory of identity formation and maintenance based on the concept of objectification and commitment. Mol argued that individuals create and maintain a sense of self through externalizing their inner states into tangible objects and practices, and then committing to these objectifications. These objectifications provide stability and meaning in a world that is constantly changing.

His work on religion focused on the social functions of religion, particularly how it serves to sacralize and legitimate core values and social structures. Mol emphasized religion's role in ordering the world, reducing uncertainty, and providing meaning to human existence. He saw religion as a fundamental human activity, deeply intertwined with the creation and maintenance of social order and individual identity.

Some of his key publications include:

• Identity and the Sacred: A Sketch for a New Social-Scientific Theory of Religion (1976)
• The Fixed and the Fickle: Religion and Identity in New Zealand (1982)
• Meaning and Place: An Introduction to Humanistic Geography (1977) (co-authored with David Lowenthal)

Mol's work has been influential in the fields of sociology of religion, identity studies, and cultural studies. His theories continue to be debated and applied in contemporary research.