Functionalism and religion Flashcards
What type of theory is functionalism in religion
conservative force
Durkheim - Sacred and profane
- What is the key feature of religion for Durkheim
- Define these words
- What is the significance of sacred things
KEY FEATURE: not a belief in gods or spirits, but the sacred and profane things in it
SACRED: Things set apart and forbidden that inspire awe and are surrounded by taboos
PROFANE: Things that have no significance
SIGNIFICANCE: Shows society worshipping itself, since if collective rituals take place, society is the only thing powerful enough to command such intense feelings
Durkheim - Totenism
- Who did Durkheim study for this
- What did he find
- What 2 things did Durkheim believe from this
WHO: The aboriginal Australian clan, Arunta
WHAT: The clans emblem, the totem is praised by the clan
DURKHEIM: This serves to reinforce the groups solidarity and sense of belonging
- They are also worshipping itself, as the totem inspires positive feelings of which represents the power of the group
Durkheim - The collective conscience
- What does this mean
- How is this reinforced
- What important function does this perform then for individuals
MEANING: Shared norms and values that make social life and cooperation possible
HOW: through religious rituals reminding people the society they’re in
FUNCTION: Makes individuals feel a part of something great
Durkheim - Cognitive functions of religion
- What does he say about this
WHAT: Religion is the origin of human thought and conceptualisation as its helps us reason
Criticisms of Durkheim
- Worsley
- Postmodernist Mestrovic
- Varying religions
WORSLEY: no division between sacred and profane, and different clans share same totems
Postmodernist MESTROVIC: Durkheims ideas font apply to contemporary society as the increased diversity means fragmentation of the collective conscience and so society is no longer a system of shared values
VARIETY OF RELIGIONS: Means its harder to apply to large scale societies with a variety of religions
Positive evaluation of Durkheim - Psychological functions - Malinowski
- What does he say
- Whats the first way in which religion would perform this - study
- Whats the second way in which religion would perform this
MALINOWSKI: Agrees that religion promotes social solidarity butt rather through psychological functions
1) STUDY: The Trobriand islanders with lagoon and ocean fishing
LAGOON: Predictable and certain = no ritual
OCEAN: Dangreous and unpredictable = ritual to ensure a safe journey ‘filling the gods of the gaps’ to give humans control over the situation
2) LIFE CRISIS: Life turning events, usually disrupting individuals lives is aided by religion to minimise the impact on them and social groups
Parsons - Values and meanings
- What does he say about religions 2 prime functions
- How does this happen, explain the two factors in detail
WHAT: creates and legitimates societies central values and is the primary source of meaning
HOW: Because religion sacralises societies norms promoting a value consensus and social stability
- It is the primary source of meaning since it answers ultimate questions about humans, which avoids the meaningless feelings that would happen without religion, maintaining stability
Bellah - Civil religion
- What does she believe about religion
- What examples does she use from the USA that promote a civil religion
- What purpose does this serve
WHAT: Religion unifies society, especially in multi faith societies like the USA
USA: ‘American way of life’ like the anthem, pledge of allegiance
PURPOSE: Socialises the american way of life by binding everyone together, with no one Christian god, but rather an American god
Functional alternatives
- What
- Give an example of this
- What is a criticism of this
WHAT: Non-religious beliefs that perform similar functions to religion, like shared values
EXAMPLE: Soviet’s secular society, Nazi Germany’s eugenics belief
CRITICISM: Ignores what makes religion different - its belief in the supernatural
