belief system (2) Flashcards
what is the phenomenological perspective ?
reli is just one of many belief sytem s
belief systems are socially constructed , created by the society they come from
belief system share our universe meaning the meaning people give to their social world in order to understand it
belief systems are not absolute theyre very fragile and can be shattered
what is universe of meaning ?
whcih organise their experiences makes snese of their lives , they construct their own social worlds amdd work to maintain them against the threat of uncertainty and dsiruption
what does the universe of meaning require ?
it requires constant legitamation , it needs repeted reinforcement and justification , members of society msut be told and retold that their universe of meaning is legitamate without this support
life would crumble and become meanigless , stability of society is threatened
how is belief system constructed ?
belief sytem is socially constructed form bases of unom and they feedback and reinforce the society that constructed them
how does science offer support ?
science offers suport for universe of meaning by grounding them in reason and evdience e.g darwin hteory of revoluton based on evidece fosills
what does berger and luckman say ?
the social construction of reality human beings construct their belies in social context
people manufacture universe of meaninf in order to structure and make sense of their social worlds
universe of meaning requrire constant legitamisation to be told and ajvomng ot conformed that its right true and correct
what is a belief system ?
belief system are set of ideas that claim to have knowledge about reality
what are the difference between science and religion ?
science - factual evidence , fossil, experiments, lab, vause and effect , objectice , open to challenge-new evidence
reli - sacred and fixed ideas , not open to challened , belief and faith, based on past knowledge , books , reli texts , reli scholars /leaders
what is an open system of belief ?
where knowledge claims are open to questioning and to be questioned- popper falsfication
what is a clsoed system of belief ?
closed system of belief where knowledge claims cant be challenged or overturned
why is science an open belief system according to popper ?
because every scientist theory can/ is open to scrutinity , criticism and testing by others
what is falsification ?
scientist set out and try to falsify existing theories , delibrately seeking evidence that would disprove them
what is the mertons cudos norms ?
communism - scientific knowledge isnt private property - dcientist must share it with the community by publishing
universalism - truth or falsify of scientific knowledge is judged by universal , objective criteria and not by particular race , sex etc of scientist who produces it
disinterestedness - being commited to discovery knowleddge for its own sake , having to publish their own findings makes it harder for scientist to practice fraud , enables others to check their claims
organised scepticism - no knowledge claim is regarded as sacred - every idea is open to questioning and criticism and obj ,investigation
what are some similarities between popper and merton cudos
science as an insituition or organised social activity needs an ethos or set of norms that make scientists act in a way that increases knowledge of science
what did popper argue
popper argued that they rest on a solid bedrock fabrication of facts - systematic obervation and measurements made by scientist arent objective
what did knor cetina say ?
facts are fabricated - cinstructed by scientsits - facts are based off theories observed
closed belief system
what does hurton say ?
sees science as on open beleif system one where knowledge is provisional , open to challenge and potentially disprovable
religion has get out clauses = which makes it a close system = reinforce the system and prevent it from being disproved e.g witchcraft belief
who else does hurton agree with ?
popper, he sees science as an open system one where knowledge claims are open to criticism and can be dsiprove4d bytestting
reli = closed belief system = whenever its fundamental beliefs are threatened a closed belief system has get out clauses that reinforce the system and prevent ot from being disproved = witchcraft belief
who studied the azande people and who are they ?
pitchard = people of sudan
believe that natural events have natural causes they dont belienve in coincidence
whebn misfortune befalls them the azande someone a jealous neighbour is practicing witchcraft on them
what does pitchard argue ?
this belief system performs useful social functions not only clears the air and prevents grudges from festering ,
it encourages neighbour to behave considerately towards one another to reduce the risk of an accusation
what does hortan say ?
the witch craft among the azande are a closed system of beleifs as they all highly resistant to challenges cannot be overturned by the evidence
reli justifies itself and prevents it from being disproved
what is closed system ?
knowledge claims cannot be challenged or overturned
what does the polyani say ?
all beleif syst have 3 devices to sustain themselves in the face of apparently contradictory evi- all system are closed because they all use self sustaining belief = not open to change
circularity = each idea in the syst is explained in terms of another idea within the syst and so on round and round
subsidary- useless justification , justifable for azande within the bs
denial of legitamacy = to rival belief system reject alt worldviews by refusing to grant any legitamacy to theior basic assumption e.g evolution = dont want to believe in other thoeries or reli even if they have evidence but they still refuse to believe them
what is the paradigm ?
paradigm is the body of knowledge
science work in a shared paradigm - kuhn
science is a closed sys
rejects evidence that challenges its claim
outside of the paradigm
e.g dr
eventualy create new para chyms
science is not open - rejexct info if it contradicts the existing body
not object = reject accpet depends on field
= socially constructed by those reviewing
influenced by external factos - reject info
what is the study of the little green men
1967 = cambridge study an anomoly = lgm there might be life out of space = this was an unacceptable interpretation from the viewpoint of the scientific community - and one that would have finished their career - then fabricated their facts
woolgar notes a scientific fact is simply socially constructed
what does knor cetina argue ?
scientific reseaqrch and science is not objective
scientist fabricate fatcs ,research and findings and data = will be interpreted in such a way as it meets the aim of the scientist and what they want to find out
tech and scientific instruments that favour the scientific research
science is working in a socially constructed paradigm
selfsustaining
what do polyanis believe ?
polyanis all bs are ss
who talks about fabri of facts ?
knor cetina - scientist fabricates facts research
what did doctor v say ?
research on astronomy was rejected
he went against the paradigm
he put forward a new theory on the origins of earth
science -is socially constructed - when their facts dont fit in with society
finsih this off
what did kuhn say ?
science- all knowledge is socially constructed and created by social groups
normal science is a closed system that doesnt permit challenges to its paradigm , science is not objective because its socially constructed facts
how do interprevetist view science ?
see science knowledge as socially constructed
the position of sciencr in a pm society
what is marxixts view of science ?
science is not obj because serving needs of capitalism creates profit for technoscience and big farmer - making money form doing research
what is the feminitst viwewof science
male dominates and /// streamed
what is pm view on science
meta narrative that cannot be trusted as all of them is relative
what is science in the modern era like
in the modern era there was belief in constant progress
science and reli dominanted thinking in retionsl society
the spiritual and reli become less important
has science lost its authority ?
late modernity - Giddens in late modern society there are dounts about sciences objectivity
late mod - beck science contriburtes to the uncertainty and risk in late mod society
pos mod - llyotard - scicne is a meta narrativwe which is rejected by post modern society
what is the overlaps between science and reli
reli- metanarlr science - llyotard science= meta narr
leaders, prophets, saints - leading scientist- scientific geniues - newton
blind faith - science dont have evidnece not all theories have beem proven with evidence
ideology set of ideas impacted on others - compulsary teaching in school
another opocentric, human centered- focused on human progress
dogmatic ,accepted way of doing things that is not challenged- scientists work within a paradigm
ideology
what is ideology ?
a world view or set of ideas
what can ideology be viewed as ?
distorted ,fake ideas about the world
a partial or ine sided view of reality
a self sustaining bs which irrational and not open to criticism
what is view of ideo with sociological perspec ?
marxists - equality will never work cause it goes against human nature
fem - ideo is a set of ideas which keeps women in their place - patriachal ideo or a potentially liberaying set of beliefs - fem
how did popper see ideology
saw ideology as a closed system of thought - closed to evidence which challenge their beliefs
ideologies reject alternative views they dont tolerate opposing ideas
how do marxists view ideology ?
marx said ideo was a false pic created by rc
most important force in society is was class conflict between workers and rc
what is a summary of marx view on ideo
in capitalist soc workers are employed to produce goods which are sold by emplpyers for a profit
only abit of this profit ends up in the workers wage - most kepy by the employer
marx said if workerws were allowed ro notice thew unfairness they would revolt
ruling ideas , ideo is needed by rc to make a unfair system to appear fair and legitatiate and thereofre keep it going
marx claimed ideo creates fcc for the workers it gets thme to believe their system and their position within it are both fair and just by mystifying and falssifying their pic of reality
func of ideo is to keep workers in the place and stop them from rebelling
rc only have ideo cuase only thry have the need to create illusions
neo marxist
what does gramsci say ?
called the domination of rc ideology hegemony
hegemonic ideas dont just rule they dominate
nobody qs the rc right to rule gramsci argued that rc ideology intrenched in all areas of social life e.g reli , art and law
however gramsci argues its posiible for the proletariet to challence rc hegemony because they have a dual consciousnesss
what is dual consciousness
a mixture of rc ideology and ideas they develop from their own direct experience of exploitation and their struggle against it therefore possible for wc to develop consciousness and over throw capitalism
what do some critics argue
that its not the existence of a dominant ideology that keeps the workers in line and prevents the overthrow of capitalism
abercrombie argue that its economic factors such as fear of unemployment that keep workers from rebelling
what does althusser argue ?
ideological state apparatuses
isas are social insituins such as education,religion and the mass media.
the isas are a tool of capitalism used to justify maintain and reproduce class inequalities.
education transpits and reproduces ideology about what it means to be working class
ideology and nationalism
what does nationalism claim ?
nations are real and distinct communties each with its own unique characteristics and a long shared history
every nation should be slef governing
national loyalty should come before all others
what does anderson argue ?
that a nation is only a imagined community not a real one we will never know most of its memebers
this imagined community can bind mill strangers togethr and create a sense of purpose.- func and neo func
how did marx view nationalism
critical of nationalism
saw as a form of fcc as an interationalist he felt nationalism would divide the international wc
this is because it encourgaes workers to believe they have more in common with capitalists of their own country than with the workers of other countiries
enabled the rc of each capitalist country to persuade wc to fight wars on their behalf
What does gellner say ?
Sees nationalism as fcc its claim that nations have existed since time is untrue
Nationalism is a modern phenomenon
Modern states need nationalism to impose national culture this will encourage social and economic cooperation
Why is gellner critical of nationalism
He claims rc use nationalism as an ideology to motivate the population to endure the hardships and suffering
How do functionalist see nationalism
As a secular civil reli like reli it intergrates individuals into larger social and political unit by making them feel part of something
In modern societies people may be unwilling to believe in supernatural beings but may be willing to see themselves as part of a nation
How does nationalism function as a civil religion
It unites everyone into a single national community, regardless of class and religion
Include collective rituals - such as nationals symblofs , flags and national anthem and learning nations history
Manheim- ideology & utopia
Manheim work ok ideologue was done during the Id was done during the political and social upheaval
How does manheim view belief system
How does manheim view belief system
As partial and one sided
What are the two types of belief system manheim distunguished between
Ideological thought and utopian though
What is ideological thought
(Keeps thing
the same ) justfies keeping’s as they are to reinforce the position and interests of privelledged groups there groups benefit from maintaining the status quo = their bs is conservative and favour hierarchy
What is utopian thought
Justifies social change & reflects the interest of the under privileged provides a vision of how society could be organised differently e.g the ex are disadv by the status quo & May favour Radiya change to a classless society manheim sees Marxism as eg of UT
Why can Marxism be seen as a utopian thought
Marxism could be seen as a
utopian thought with its vision of an ideal future in society after the ruling class has been overthrown.
Why can function be also seen as a ideological thought
Maintains the status quo as it seeks to justify existing society with its emphasis on agreement concensus and stability
Why is manheim two world views a source of conflict
For Mannheim, this is a source of conflict in society. Different intellectuals, linked to
different groups and classes, produce opposed and antagonistic ideas that justify the
interests and claims of their group as against others
How can manheim conflict can get rid of
To get rid of the conflict there needs to merge the different ideologies. There needs to be a “free floating intelligentsia” that doesn’t represent the views of one single group but merges elements of the different partial ideologies and utopias to create a “total world view” that represents the interests of society as a whole.
However, many ideologies are
diametrically opposed to one another and it is hard to imagine how they can be
synthesised.
Why is Marx and fem a singular ideology
For example, for MARXISTS and FEMINISTS it is unlikely a singular ideology can exist to
represent the interests of society as a whole. As Both perspectives see conflict between
social groups and thus the existence of inequalities in society.
How do fem view ideology
Feminists see gender inequality as the fundamental division and PATRIARCHAL IDEOLOGY
plays a key role in legitimating it.
Patriarchal ideology is a set of ideas that supports and justifies the position of
men in society. Feminist Kate Millett (1970) suggests it is “The most pervasive
ideology in our culture”.
What’s so,e eg of patriarchal ideology
Women place in ho,em
Men should be head of the fam
Women should be responsible for housework and childcare
What does marks say about ideology
Patriarchal ideology can be found in science- reproduced ideas of women intellectuals and biological inferiority to men -19th century male doctors expressed the view that educate women would lead to the creation of a new race of puny and unfeminine
Patriarchal ideology is e,bodied In science religions beliefs and practices
Why can the term ideology be used to describe beliefs system,
The term ideology is used in a wide variety of ways; it is most commonly regarded as a set of ideas and
values shared by a social group. Others have defined it as a ‘self-sustaining belief system’ that is irrational and ignores criticism. In this sense, when someone uses the term ideology in this way to describe a belief system, is means they regard it as factually and/or morally wrong. sneg of ch
What are some distinction that can be made between ideology and bs
There are some distinctions that can be made between belief systems and ideologies. Belief systems are, for example, often associated with religious convictions,
whereas ideology is a secular term. However, Karl Popper describes ideologies as ‘secular religions’ as he suggests that ideologies contain descriptive and normative elements which guide our behaviour in the same way religion provides us with norms and moral guidelines.
Why are ideology like deli
They give a meaning and means of interpreting and understanding the world
What are so,e ideology vs bs view ?
Ideology is a set of ideas, beliefs or
principles.
It is regarded as a secular set of
ideas.-POPPer
They claim the monopoly of the truth.
So it is seen as rigid and inflexible, used to oppress people.
Examples Marxism, Feminism, ruling class ideology, patriarchal
ideology.
Belief system is a set of ideas
through which an individual
makes sense of the world.
These ideas usually have a
religious basis.
They aim to explain the world
around us as well as provide us
with a set of moral guidelines.
Belief systems are based on
faith and on what we think, but
not actually know.
Why is reli also view as a form of ideology
Religion has been seen by some sociologists as an Ideology. Marx saw religion as ideological and claimed it was used by the ruling class into accepting social inequalities. Ideologies are also like religions as they offer a means of interpreting and understanding the world. They differ, however as they are tied to the interests of a particular group whereas religious beliefs are not.
There is one clear similarity between ideologies and religions in that they both claim to have a monopoly of truth. For example, Marxists always start from the assumption that the capitalist system is unjust and do not accept an opposing ideology, such as liberalism.
What are cults
Cult
• Bevere their teachings arejust one of many Paths do ne truth.
• cults are more tolerant of their beliefs of others and of the behaviour of. their members
• walis: cults are more loosely organised open to the outside world
. cuts are more individualistic in that they allow individual members to decide what they will or will not accept
What are cults membership
MembersniP: no concert of membership - Peop may simply join in or drop out as they will
What are cults organisation
Organisation : hierarchies and ideas of seniority are usually discouraged
What are cults sense of legitimacy , rs to the wider society and involvement and commitment
cults do not claim to have a monopoly of truth - relatively tolerant
Rs to the wider society - because of the wide range of cults there is no orientation to the wider society and cult activity is likely to be part time
invorement + commitment +: Do not demend high levels of
• commitment from their followers
What type of organisation is churches
membership: open to all formal rituals: baptism
organisaran:
theres hierarchy , pope at the top
PoPe, clergy , bishop : - organised hierarchy .
worship and ritual : restrained and fixed to traditional
Sense of legitimacy: claim monopoly of truth they have the right idea - closed system
Rs te wider society: accepting to wider society linked to the state
Eg Church of England
Involvement and commitment : lone levels of levels of commitment if you’re a member
a large formal reli organ most commonly associated with christianity
what is denomination
smaller and informal reli groups e.g methodists
what is sects
small reli group often hostile to the world members strictylu characterised by a charasmatic leader e.g peoples temple
what are cults
loose knit organisation with spiritual organisations which emphasise the indivdiual e.g scientology
what is typeology
classifying things into group or types according to their characteristic e.g thier organisational structure membership , rs to wider society reli beleifs
reli orgnisation
what is ideal type
no reli group will conform exactly to the categories outlined
a religious group may combine categories at each type and chnage and develop overtime
what did stark and brianbridge say abput the problems with deining reli organisations
s&b the list is used for categorisation is to extensive leads to confusion - can be overlap between reli group and categorise the..
what does bruce say about churches
churches are obsolete - old in most chritian countires there are secularisationa nd religion pluralism - eval with troletch
what does barker say about sects and cults
s and c have stigma attached to it hadden 2003 c and s are seen as wierd and freaky
wallis - how do chruche and deno see themselves
chruche and s claim mot deno and cults accept theat there can be many valid interpretation
how are c s chur deno seen by eider society
chur and deno are seens as respectable and legitamare whereas sects and cults are seen as deviant
who is uniquely legitamate and who is purastically legitamte
ul - church and sect
pl - deno and cults
what does troletch say
churches are large organisation
run by a bureacratic hieracht of professional and claim mot
univerlatic aimming to inc whole of society
tend to be more attarctive to mc cause theyre ideologically conservative - linked to state e.g c of e
he sees sects as small excl group sects are hostile to wider society and expect high level of commitment
they draw members from poor and opressed
led by charasmatic leader rather than hierachy - believe they have mot
what does neibuhr say about denomination and sects ?
membership is less exclusive then sects
it doesnt apear to the whole of society like a church
expects society value - not linked with staate
imposes minor restriction on alchohol
dont claim mit
individualistic
world affriming - cliam to improve life in this world
no need for high commitments
what does bruce say about troletch idea of churches
argues troletch idea over church having a reli monopoly only applies catholic before 16 th century , protesttant reformation
since sects and cults have flourished and religious diversity becomes the norm
what is world rejecting ?
according to wallis sects embody this as theyre critical of the outside secular world. eg of such organisations which are hostile to wider society include peoples temple, heavens gate and branch davidians
what is NRM ?
religious movements which have evolved since the 1950s which claim to offer spiritual and philosphical guidance that sig differs from mainstream reli
what is world accomodating ?
denomination
a type of nrm where members lead convectional lives and conform to mainstream social rules. eg inc denominations such as pentecostalism and baptism. they have very conservative beliefs and arent looking for social change
what is world affirming ?
cults, scientology
these types of NRM accept the world as its and teach techniques for participating with others effectively and releasing their spiritual and creative potential
what is psychic deprivation ?
stark and brainbridge - deprived mentally/ spiritually
what does troletch ?
large and bureustierachy , mot, universalistic
why do people join cults, sects and NRMS ?
marginality and social deprivation
modernisation and secularisation
social change
pm
status frustration
relative deprivation
globalisation
practical and pragmatic
what is marginality and social deprivation ?
groups outside the mainstream of society.
status frustration
weber- theodicy of disprivelidge - reli teaching and provides and sense of honour, justification for being poor and low status
what is modernisation and secularisation ?
bruce : the weakness of more convectional insitiuitionalised reli leads people to consider alternatives
what is social change ?
wilson : when traditional norms are disrupted and the universe of meaning is disrupted people turn to sects anomie
wilson : argues period or sudden rapid social change can cause a sense of uncertainties, so sects and cults provide solutuion through clearly defined belief system
and close knit supportive social group theyre response to the uncertainties of rsc
what do pm say about people joining cults ?
subjective percieved deprivation filling the void in a postmodern society were there is a loss of faith in the metanarrative
what is status frustration ?
people are frustrated at their lack of status in society marginally can cause status frus
mainly associated with young people wallis says this is why NRM appeal to young people, memebership= provide some support for an identity and status independent of school, or fam and overcome the sense of frustration
what is relative deprivation ?
stark and brainbridge it refers to the subjective feeling of being deprived or lacking something compared to thoese in a social group. the ideas and support derived from sect membership or cults. following may help to overcome this
what is globalisation ?
globalisation - mass media- inc internet has means people now have access to a huge range of ideas from around the globe.
baudrillard called media saturated society- people able to pick and choose and mix and match beliefs from across the world. the nrm able to communicate with large n0 of people than ever before throughthe media
esp the internet raised visibility and profile of these groups
what is globalisation ?
globalisation - mass media- inc internet has means people now have access to a huge range of ideas from around the globe.
baudrillard called media saturated society- people able to pick and choose and mix and match beliefs from across the world. the nrm able to communicate with large n0 of people than ever before throughthe media
esp the internet raised visibility and profile of these groups
what is pragmatic and practical ?
s+c+NRMs seen as the key to sucess or offer escape
heelas - rich mc educated and succesful want to find their inner self
barker- sect is an alternative to the family
what does neighbur say about denomination
denomination midway between a churvh and a sect. membership less exclusive than sect but dont appear to wider society .
what does s and b say about audience cults and clients cults ?
audience c - less organised ,little commitment and interaction amongst members , use media to participate e.g astrology ufo cults
client cults- provide personal sevice for a client e.g medical miracles or therapy for personal fullfilement
what is cultic movement ?
organised and demand high degree of commitment. some become cultic movement e.g moonies, scientology, - developed from client cults
What’s the eval of why people join sect ?
Beck does - questions idea of social marginalisation eg jehovas witnesss - neither socially or economically deprived
S&b not all c s & nrms develop on times of social unrest or social change eg less developed in 1970s than 1950s when there was less social unrest
But s & B have a very limited definition of sects
Eval of why people join sects
Research on nrms is very western centric
Focused on nrms which developed in west on 1960
Nrms and s c have a long global history cannot explain them but simply focusing on them as a response to that happened in the 20th century western society
What does neighbur say about sects ?
Sects are world rejecting organisations that came into existence because of schism - splitting est churches because of a disagreement over reli dome
Sects are short lived they die out - within generation or they compromise with the world abandon their extreme ideas
Because
The 2nd generation born into the sect they have lack of commitment
Death of the leader - collapse on the leaders deaths - transformation to denomination
