Beliefs Flashcards
What is an ideology and what 3 things does it provide?
A set of ideas and values shared by a social group.
- Provides a particular vision or way of seeing the world.
- Presents only a partial view of reality
- Expresses the interests of a particular group.
What is a pluralist ideology?
The exercise of power in society reflects a broad range of social interests, with power spread among a wide variety of interest groups. There is no monopoly of power.
What is a dominant ideology and who proposes it?
Marxists.
A set of ideas and beliefs held by the most powerful groups (the ruling class). Used to hide inequalities of capitalist society.
What is hegemony and who proposed it?
Gramsci. The ruling class maintains its power by persuading other social classes to adopt ruling class ideology.
What is a patriarchal ideology?
A set of ideas that supports and justifies the power of men in patriarchal society.
What is a political ideology?
An ideology that provides an analysis and interpretation of how society should work and suggests how power should be used by governments to influence events.
What is scientism and what does it have a commitment to?
A belief system or ideology that claims science and the scientific method alone can provide true knowledge and understanding of the world, rejecting any other truths. It has a commitment to empirical evidence.
Who proposed the scientific method and what 5 steps does it have?
Popper.
- Hypothesis formation - formulating ideas about possible explanations.
- Falsification - testing hypothesis against evidence to prove them wrong.
- Prediction - through establishing cause-and-effect relationships.
- Theory formation - if a hypothesis cant be falsified, it can become a theory.
- Scrutiny - scrutinized by other scientists.
What does the Interpretivist perspective suggest religion is?
A conservative force - study the meanings and interpretations of people to understand their behaviour.
What is a universe of meaning and who proposed it?
Berger proposes it. It is a set of beliefs and values that help people make sense of the world and enables them to give life some focus, order and meaning.
Religion provides a theodicy, what is this?
A religious framework that enables people to make sense of inexplainable questions about existence such as the meaning of life and death.
What does Berger say religion acts as?
A sacred canopy stretching over society, protecting people from the uncertainties and providing them with meaning and their position in the world.
How is the Interpretivist approach allied with Functionalist and Marxist approaches?
It contributes to social stability and acts as a conservative force.
What does Berger say is happening to religion in a modern and postmodern world?
It’s losing its role as providing a universe of meaning because science has replaced it and there is growing secularisation.
What type of theorist is Weber?
Social action theorist.
