Functionalists Flashcards
Functionalists criticisms
Emphasises social nature of religion + the positive functions it performs, but neglects negative aspects-religion source of oppression for poor/women.
Ignored religion as source of division + conflict especially in complex modern societies where there is more than 1 religion, hard to see how it can unite people.
Durkheim view
Key function in religion distinction between sacred (set apart/forbidden) + profane (ordinary). Sacred things are symbols representing something of great power - this is society itself. When worshipping sacred symbols = people worshipping society.
When clans worship their totemic animal, in reality worshipping society (studied arunta tribe - worshipping totem reinforced group solidarity)
Sacred symbols represent societies collective conscience - shared norms that make social life between individuals possible. Religion performs 2 functions - motivates us to overcome obstacles that otherwise may defeat us. = cognitive capacities - ability to reason + religion origin of concepts we need for reasoning/understanding the world.
Durkheim criticisms
Harder to apply to large scale societies= where 2 or more religious communities may be in conflict
Postmodernists argue Durkheim’s idea cannot be applied to contemporary society as increasing diversity has fragmented the collective conscience so there is no longer a single shared value system for religion to reinforce.
Malinowski view + criticisms
Agrees with Durkheim- religion promotes solidarity, does this by performing psychological functions for individuals - helps to cope with emotional stress. 2 types of situations; where outcome is important but uncontrollable + thus uncertain/ at times of life crisis- events such as birth, puberty, death mark major disruptive changes religion helps to minimise disruption. Funeral rituals reinforce feeling of solidarity between survivors.
Criticism - exaggerates importance of rituals in times of stress + neglects their use of other social issues like prestige/status
Parsons view (value + meanings)
Religions helps individuals to cope with unforeseen events + uncontrollable outcomes. Identifies 2 other functions religion performs; it creates + legitimates society’s central values (basic norms by making them sacred). Primary source of meaning - answers ultimate questions about human condition - explains suffering as test of faith that will be rewarded in heaven
Functionalists main assumptions
Religious institutions play a central part in creating+ maintaining value consensus, order + solidarity
