Functionalism (Conservative Force) Flashcards
Durkheim on religion
- fundamental distinction between sacred and profane
- sacred -> inspire feelings of awe, fear, wonder, surrounded by taboos and prohibitions
- rituals involved - collective, social groups
- sacred things evoke powerful feelings - they are symbols representing something of great power
- this can only be society itself - only thing powerful enough
- worship sacred symbols = worshipping society
- symbols vary between religions but all perform essential function - unite believers into a single, moral community
EVALUATION - may apply to small scale societies with single religion but not bigger ones with conflict in religion - explains social integration within communities but not conflicts
Totemism
DURKHEIM
- studied clan society - Arunta tribe, Australian aboriginals
- come together to perform rituals - worship sacred totem (animal/plant represents clan’s origins/identity)
- shared ritual -> reinforce group solidarity/sense of belonging
- when clan members worship totem = worship society (even though unaware)
- totem = feelings of awe as represents power of group (members are dependent on this)
EVALUATION
- evidence is unsound
-WORSLEY - there is no sharp division between sacred/profane - diff clans share same totems, and even if he’s right, doesn’t prove he discovered the essence of all other religions
Collective conscience
- sacred symbols represent society’s collective conscience (shared norms, values, beliefs)
- makes social life/cooperation possible or society would crumble
- shared rituals binds us - reminds we are in single community, owe loyalty eg tribe worships croc God
- rituals remind of power of society, without this you would be nothing
- religion performs important function - makes us feel part of something bigger than ourselves
- strengthens us to face life’s trials and motivates to overcome obstacles
EVALUATION - PM MESTROVIC - can’t apply to contemp society -> increasing diversity has fragmented collective conscience, so no longer shared value system for religion to reinforce
Collective functions of religion
- source of intellectual/cognitive capacity -> need it for reasoning, understanding world, communicating
- division of tribes into clans gives us our first notion of classification - so it is the origin of human thought, reason and science
- religion provides basic categories eg time, space causation
- ideas about creator bringing world into being at beginning of time
Malinowski
- religion performs psych functions for individuals eg helps cope with emotional stress
- identifies 2 types of situation when does psych function
Malinowski’s 1st situation
- OUTCOME IS IMPORTANT BUT UNCONTROLLABLE
- studied Trobriand Islanders of the Western Pacific
Lagoon Fishing -> uses predictable/successful method of poisoning, when the islanders fish in the lagoon there is no ritual
Ocean Fishing -> dangerous, uncertain, always accompanied by canoe magic - rituals ensure safe/successful expedition. Gave sense of control - ease tension, confidence and reinforces group solidarity
Malinowski’s 2nd situation
- AT TIMES OF LIFE CRISIS
- events eg birth, death, marriage -> mark major/disruptive changes in social groups
- religion helps minimise disruption
- eg funeral rituals reinforce feeling of solidarity among survivors, while the notion of life after death brings comfort to the bereaved
MALINOWSKI - death is the main reason for religion
- soldiers pray at times of war
- we pray during illness and when disasters happen
Parsons
- religion helps individuals cope with unforseen event/uncontrollable outcomes
- identifies 2 other essential functions in modern society
1. provides core norms/values eg 10 commandments and consequences for breaking them
2. strengthen social solidarity by answering unanswerable questions that threaten it eg why do bad people prosper whilst the good suffer?
Bellah
CIVIL RELIGION
- USA have invented this to provide social solidarity/unify society - esp when multiple religions
- has its own saints, sacred texts, symbols
- unites Americans regardless of religious bckgrnd
- claims loyalty of all Americans and suggests American way of life is sacred
EVALUATION
- overcomes the problem of religious pluralism -> argues societies may still have an overarching belief system shared be all, but is this really religion?? - especially if it is not based on belief in the supernatural
Evaluation of Functionalism
- neglects -ve aspects of religion eg oppression of WC/women
- ignores religion as a source of division/conflict, esp in complex modern societies where there is more than one religion eg N.Ireland. Religious pluralism - had to unite people and promote integration
