Theories of Religion: Emile Durkheim and Max Weber

Theories of Religion: Emile Durkheim and Max Weber The topic I have chosen to discuss is religion, as theorised by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Religion can be recognised in every culture around the world. Therefore, sociologists examine it in order to understand why religion and the beliefs and practices associated with religion, are so significant and the position they play within society (Macionis Plummer, 2008, p610). Durkheim and Weber both carried out their work around the turn of the 19th century. Both were gripped by the religion and its role in society (Nisbet, 1975). However, the both studied religion form two very different perspectives, although both thought in evolutionary terms (Parsons, 1964, p xxvii). Durkheim holds a collectivist view of society, exploring it from the perspective that religion has a cohesive effect on people through sharing values, symbols and social norms (Macionis and Plummer, 2008, p611). Weber on the other hand, has a more individualist perspective. He focused on the sociology of religion, such as the relationship between religious ideas and commitments, with other sociological aspects, such as human behaviour in relation to economics Parsons, 1964, p xx). Durkheim was born in 1958 in France. His work, centred around social change and industrial society, however, he became focused on social and moral order and how it was achieved and maintained in society. In particular, the transition between traditional society and modern society, and how this influences how social structures and relationships are adapted and maintained (Dillon, 2010 p79). Durkheim was interested in providing a scientific basis for sociology and defining sociology as field of study which he discusses in The Rules of Sociological Method (Calhoun, et, al., 2007, p 135). During his lifetime, he published extensively. The Division of Labour, where he examined social cohesion within the modern industrialise society. Suicide discussed diminishing social bonds in modern society, and this influences patterns of suicide. The Elementary Forms of Religious Life examines how the social origins and function of religion and beliefs associated with it, and how they are reinforced b y rituals and ceremonies (Calhoun, 2007, p136). Durkheim, along with Marx and Weber, is now seen as an extremely significant classical theorist, and has had an influence across many areas, such as education, religion, and health (Calhoun, 2007, p 133). Durkheim wrote extensively in the area of religion. He recognised that religion was a social concept that needed to be explored in and of itself, as a primitive and simple level. He looked to define religion which he concluded was a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community called a Church, all those who adhere to them (Durkheim, 1976, p47). This definition suggests that religion is collective within society and should be examined in this way. He identified the functions of religion in society. According to Durkheim, religion is a social cohesive. If people share a religion, the shared beliefs values and symbols, they are united by these, therefore it religion as a cohesive among these people. He suggests that as a result of this, religion underlies our moral and emotional links with others. (Macionis Plummer, 2008, p611). He claimed that religion does not conflict with science. It is not there to enhance our knowledge, instead it is there in order to provide a guide for the way we act and live (Durkheim, 1976, p416). The primary intention of religion is to influence the moral of life (Durkheim, 1976, p420). Fundamentally, the task of religion is preserving a normal, positive life (Durkheim, 1976, p29). Durkheim also claims that we organize life into the sacred and the profane, and neither can exist without the other (Durkheim, 1976, p308). The sacred is defined as anything that is extraordinary and instils a sense of reverence and sometimes fear (Macionis Plummer, 2008, p611). Another function of religion, according to Durkheim, is that religion provides a sense of purpose, meaning and comfort (Macionis and Plummer, 2008, p612). Durkheim suggests it strengthens a persons moral and feeing of guardian support. It allows people to rise out of themselves, which then helps mould their action and behaviour, which results in the collective cohesive affect on society. This, he says, is how the social institution of religion works, therefore it is society itself that is the source of the action guided by religion (Durkheim, 1976, p418). He proposes that the dream of an ideal society, an idealistic society that would eliminate evil and sufferings, suggest religion, as this is what religion aims for. This indicates that religion suggests the ideals of society, instead of explaining it (Durkheim, 1976, p420). Durkheim studied religion from a collectivist perspective. He recognised that society was becoming more individualist, however he believed that this collectivist society still existed but in another form. He believed that the new individualist forms of religion were simply another form of collectivist forms in society (Durkheim, 1976, p425). He claimed that religious beliefs were not the individual, but were common beliefs belonging to a group united by these beliefs (Durkheim, 1976, p43). Durkheim also studied the social phenomena of religion in relation to how it constrains social behaviour (Dillon, 2010, p118). His view was that the religious symbols and imagery are used by society to encourage conformity, and instil these into cultural norms. Religion is used in order to justify these cultural norms, for example, norms surrounding marriage and reproduction (Macionis Plummer, 2008, p612). Max Weber was born in Germany in 1964 to a Protestant family. Despite being a trained as a lawyer and historian, he became interested in the social sciences, in particular economics. His research was halted by a period of serious depression, however, most of his prominent work was carried out after his breakdown, such as The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (Calhoun, et al., 2007, p206). Weber was particularly interested in the cultural and non-economic sources related to social action. He investigates the sources of social phenomena from a historical and cultural perspective and how they influenced the practices within social institutions. He was a moderate left supporter of German nationalism, and helped found the German Democratic Party, as well as playing a part in the Treaty of Versailles and the Weimar Constitution, before he died in 1920 (Dillon, 2010, pp117-118). Like Durkheim, Weber recognised that there is not a known society, that doesnt include something that can be classified as religion (Parson, 1964, p xxvii). Although he also thought in evolutionary terms, he was more engaged by systems of meaning, which can be interpreted (Parsons, 1964, xxvii). He studied the subjective meaning and views of religion, and its cultural and historical origins, as well as how these produce institutional practices (Dillon, 2010, p117). He investigated the religious and cultural beliefs that are at the source of religious and social structures (Dillon, 2010, p119). He believed that these beliefs and values are worthy of investigation as they are what shape social institutions (Dillon, 2010, p125). He believed that religion played a role of stereotyping within society, as it structures and preserves social groups and relationship and provides a social identity for groups. He maintained that religion interacted with other social and cultural aspects (Harrin gton, 2005, p67). Webers most prominent work, The Protestant ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, discussed the interaction between religion and economic aspects. Weber introduced the ideal type in order to measure and compare social phenomenon. They are used in the quest to explain different social relationship and actions (Dillon, 2010, p126). As regards religion, an ideal type is the distinctive characteristics of a religion. Weber discusses Protestantism in is ideal form, and how the characteristics of this religion affect everyday life (Dillon, 2010, p127). He examines how different religious traditions and their structures influence society, particularly in relation to the economy and capitalism

The Banning of Capital Punishment Essay examples -- Papers Death Penal

The Banning of Capital Punishment Capital punishment is a brutal, antiquated concept that must be abolished in the name of civilized society. A humane culture cannot abide the organized extermination of human beings in the name of justice. In the United States, dozens of people are put to death every year like stray animals, only perhaps in less humane ways. The methods of capital punishment vary greatly, but none are publicly accepted as humane. Society's support for the death penalty is waning, but there is still enough support in the United States to keep it legal in many states. The death penalty exercises only the most primal instincts to kill and extract revenge in an organized fashion. This is why the death penalty must be abolished entirely: to allow society to function in a civilized manner in which every person has the right to live. Capital punishment is hypocritical, selection is arbitrary and biased, and the practice itself is cruel and inhumane. By allowing the organized extermination of living human beings the government is telling the public that they have the right to extinguish anyone they think is a murderer. The very idea of killing another for killing is inherently hypocritical. By enforcing capital punishment, the government is telling the public that it is okay to kill as long as you have more power than the person you are killing. This is of course a very cut-and-dried interpretation, but it is what the message boils down to. The problem with such a hypocritical notion as an eye for eye, is its fundamental inconsistency. In order to practice; what they preach, the courts would have to find a way to steal from thieves, betray traitors, and rape rapists. This is obviously ludicrous. Besides the cen... ... government to kill those deemed "deserving". Consequently, there are laws in place that allow the punishment of murder, by murder. Society's integrity is diminished every time a criminal is executed. The very tenets of modern organization are opposed to the notion of capital punishment, yet this is constantly defied and ignored by the American legal system. If no changes are made and the death penalty remains an acceptable form of punishment, it is inevitable that this correctional method will bleed throughout the American legal system and be utilized for "potential murderers" and small-time thieves. The mentality that encourages organized murder in the name of justice is doomed to devour the society that supports it, creating a totalitarian culture governed by paranoia. Society must voice its opposition to capital punishment before it pays dearly for a for it.

Elopement Essay

Write a brief essay on how society would view Lydia chances of making a good marriage after the elopement. In the 1 9th century, elopement was completely frowned upon by society. It was seen as something that would shame the family and bring down the family name. Society would not have agreed to the marriage due to the parents feeling that the marriage would not have been successful because of the difference of status. Lydia parents are expected to pay for hers and Hacksaw's wedding.Money, business and status was the main reason marriages were to happen and if neither parents or society approved of your session, elopement was your answer. Lydia and Mr. Hickman decided to elope without anyone knowing because they knew that their parents would not approve. However, I feel that they concentrated less on the part where they have to face everybody again and how the family would never be able to get rid of this bad reputation that has now been formed because of them, especially towards the rest of the Bennett girls.To elope in the 1 9th century, you must travel to Scotland where you wouldn't need anyone's consent. In order to travel to Scotland, the transport was either by horse or horse and carriage (which traveled at around 5-7 pH), the process took many weeks. Society would have thought that Lydia was definitely impure and touched before the time she had reached Scotland where the marriage was to be secured and completed. This would have definitely affected the rest of the Bennett sisters in terms of attracting future spouses.Society believed that if one Bennett sister can elope, what is stopping the rest of them? They were all brought up by the same people. Premarital sex was viewed as one of the biggest sins you could commit nil 9th Century England. It was seen to be pure and loyal to save your virginity until our wedding night and if you were to lose it before then you were seen as a slut and no longer respectable, this furthermore would have entirely affected your family's name.Sex outside marriage may have then resulted in having a child out of wed-lock and this was taken very seriously by society, they would believe that this would affect Lydia chances of having a good marriage by assuming that both of them will only do this again and maybe even their children too.

Competitive And Customer Analysis Of Daimler - 1440 Words

Competitive and Customer Analysis Team 11 Bhavika Haresh Jani TABLE OF CONTENTS Sr. No. Title Pg. No. 1 Daimler- Introduction and Porters Five Forces chart 3 2 Analysis of Daimler with Porters Five Forces †¢ Current competitors †¢ Threat of new entrants †¢ Bargaining power of customers †¢ Power of suppliers †¢ Threat of substitutes 4-5 3 Daimler’s new CSR programs 5 4 RECOMMENDATIONS 7 5 REFERENCES 7  Introduction Competitive analysis Daimler is viewed as the world’s most seasoned producer of luxury cars. Its variety of products gives it a competitive advantage over its competitors since it is connected with luxury cars, buses, vans and trucks. Mercedes standouts amongst the heading brands in the Indian market since past 50 years. Mercedes is a premium class segment while its competitor Volkswagen is a brand that is not as expensive in terms of pricing as BMW nor is it as cheap as Maruti it is in between them. Another competitive advantage that the company has that it provides nine classes of vehicles all with different models and design options to meet the needs of its target markets. Customer analysis Competition has pushed it to alter its product to suit the evolving purchaser attitudes and has expanded its market to include young age and middle class customers by reducing the prices and making the product more affordable for them. 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