Three Belief Systems

Question 1

Religion belief system

Answer 1

Beliefs in a supernatural being and that events and conditions on earth are influenced by the supernatural - not of this world.

Question 2

Science belief system

Answer 2

Science aspires to be free from ‘beliefs’ and claims to be objective and value free. Postmodernists argue it’s ‘just another’ belief system.

Question 3

Ideology belief system

Answer 3

A set of beliefs or principles supporting the interests of a social group or perspective.

Question 4

How did religion belief system emerge

Answer 4

•Durkheim (1904) studied totemism which he saw as the most basic form of religion.
• •There are many functions of religion including: a source of comfort, bringing people together, offering
answers to big questions in life and helping transmit key ideas in society.
• •84% of the world claim affiliation to a religion, so it is still highly influential today.

Question 5

What are the characteristics of religion as a belief system

Answer 5

It is a closed knowledge system, which means that basic beliefs within the religion tend not change over
Empirical evidence is not necessary in order to have religious beliefs – it is based on ‘faith’
time.
Some religions claim a monopoly of the truth, that is, they claim to be the only way to answer questions •in life.

Question 6

How does religion challenge science

Answer 6

Many ‘world religions’ are creationist. This means that they think that the world was
created by a ‘god’ rather than through the scientific theory of evolution e.g. Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Hinduism challenged by the scientist Galileo. Catholics believed for many years that the earth was the centre of the universe, despite the idea being

Question 7

beliefs in society

Answer 7

These are things we hold to be true. ALL Beliefs are socially constructed.
Some beliefs are secular
(not religious)

Question 8

issues and problems with religion today

Answer 8

Causes conflict e.g. Northern Ireland; Israel/Palestine
It can be manipulated to suit the political needs of the powerful.
It can be exclusive, for example not allowing women or LGBT people into a religious organisation or hierarchy.
Intelligent design has emerged to explain human creation through a religiously based intelligence that has led to evolution and human and natural biodiversity

Question 9

how did the science belief system emerge

Answer 9

Science emerged as part of the process of industrialisation and enlightenment, where rational thought began to challenge religion e.g. evolution vs creationism as well as
Science has had a huge impact on people’s lives - medicine, technology, industrial revolution; this has improved living standards for many in the world but has also contributed to problems such as climate change and war.

Question 10

characteristics of science as a belief system

Answer 10

It makes claims which are based upon empirical, observable evidence
It studies cause and effect relationships, based on data that can be accurately tested
There is disagreement as to how objective science actually is

Question 11

popper on key characteristics of science as a belief system

Answer 11

science can be an open knowledge system, meaning that scientific knowledge is true until it is falsified, when other knowledge will replace it – a march of progress in scientific knowledge is always possible.

Question 12

kuhn on key characteristics of science as a belief system

Answer 12

science is mostly a closed belief system which operates in a paradigm (fixed set of assumptions and values about the world). Only those scientists working within the paradigm are considered credible. When anomalies in the paradigm become too great, a ‘scientific revolution’ occurs and a new paradigm is finally established.

Question 13

how does science challange religion

Answer 13

Darwin’s Theory of Evolution (science) challenges Creationist ideas (religious) that a supernatural force created the world and humans.
Galileo’s initial findings using his telescope revealed that the world was not the centre of the universe, challenged the beliefs of the Catholic Church. Galileo was banned from using his telescope and put into jail.

Question 14

issues and problems with science

Answer 14

Creationism has been revived in parts of the world such as USA e.g. Christian Right - religion is challenging science.
People are less inclined to trust scientific knowledge e.g. anti-vaxxers during Covid

Question 15

ideology belief system definition

Answer 15

Originating in the work of Marx and critical sociologies, ideology refers to a set of ideas and beliefs which may distort reality in the interests of powerful groups e.g. ruling class ideology creates false class consciousness. Today, there are many ideologies not linked to Marxism.

Question 16

when did ideologies emerge

Answer 16

They are linked to modernity and seen as a response to the industrial revolution which gave rise to the growth of capitalist, nationalist, fascist and communist ideologies (to name a few!).
Ideologies are often critical of the existing status quo and want change in society in favour of their beliefs. These beliefs may seek equality and liberation or hierarchy and oppression.

Question 17

key characteristics of ideology as a belief system

Answer 17

They do not need empirical evidence to assert their claims and are not necessarily interested in objectivity
Their beliefs generally apply to one group, so they are exclusive
They want social and political change so are usually radical movements

Question 18

Marxism as a critical ideology

Answer 18

See capitalist society as operating in the interests of the ruling class and want the working class to be free from this oppression through a proletariat revolution

Question 19

feminism as a critical ideology

Answer 19

See society as male dominated, reflecting patriarchal ideology and want to see greater equality for women.

Question 20

how do ideologies challenge religion and science

Answer 20

Ideologies argue that religion and science are run by powerful groups, who shape people’s ideas to suit the powerful.

Question 21

issues and problems with ideology

Answer 21

Although Feminist ideas have had huge successes in improving equality in some areas of life, patriarchy continues e.g. women are paid 20% less than men (Equal Pay Audit 2021)
Some claim that ideologies such as Marxism are no longer relevant in a world where identity is not simply based on social class, rather it is complex, fragmented and fluid.
Ideologies are linked to conspiracy theories e.g. Qanon
New Right ideology has dominated global economics and politics since the 1980s

Question 22

belief definition

Answer 22

Something which is held to be true

Question 23

belief system post modernity

Answer 23

Period in history characterised by new technologies e.g. social media, choice, diversity and globalisation

Question 24

open knowledge system

Answer 24

Knowledge which is open to change and falsification

Question 25

ideology definition

Answer 25

Set of ideas which represent the interests of specific social groups and may distort reality e.g. false consciousness

Question 26

closed knowledge system

Answer 26

Knowledge which is fixed and closed to change

Question 27

science definition

Answer 27

A framework or set of values and assumptions which scientists work within to be credible

Question 28

religion definition

Answer 28

Faith in the supernatural, superstition, magic and the belief that events on earth are influenced by ‘things’ beyond this world

Question 29

when people believe in more than 1 belief system

Answer 29

When people believe in more than one belief system