Durkheim on religion

What are the functions of religion?

• Durkheim, like many functionalists, argues that religion performed an essential function for society

• Promoted a form of social cohesion between individuals

• Promoted a value consensus in society and maintained social order

• The functionalist position is that religion acts as a conservative force

What is Durkheim’s view on religion?

• Studying the Arunta, an aboriginal tribe, Durkheim set out to understand the function of their belief system

• Society divided objects and experiences into the sacred and the profane

• Profane activities and objects were related to day-to-day existence, whilst sacred qualities were given to those that brought people together

What does Sacred mean?

Things set apart and forbidden that inspire feelings of awe, fear and wonder and are surrounded by taboos and prohibitions

What does Profane mean?

Things that have no special significance- things that are ordinary and mundane

What is totenism?

• Studied the simplest form of society-Clan Society - Arunta - Australian Aboriginal tribe

• Clans consisted of bands of kin who come together to perform rituals which worship the totem

• The rituals reinforce the group’s solidarity and sense of belonging

• The totem inspires feelings of awe as it represents the power of the group

What is collective conscience?

Shared norms, values, beliefs and knowledge that make social life and cooperation between individuals possible

What is the purpose of shared rituals that bind us together?

• They reinforce the collective conscience and maintain social integration

• Reminds them they are part of a single moral community

• Reminds them of the power of society and that they are nothing as individuals.

• It strengthens us to face life's trials

What are the cognitive functions of religion?

• Religion is the source of our intellectual capacity. This is our ability to think conceptually.

• Religion gives us categories like time, space, cause, substance, number

• Any everybody needs to share these same thoughts and categories

What does Durkheim find out about about Arunta?

• Durkheim analysed what he perceived to be a primitive religious belief system

• He examined sacred artefacts or 'totems' as part of his research as well as ceremonies

• Concluded that there were four key functions, but that these were not necessarily supernatural but rather a celebration of society

What are Durkheim’s four functions of religion?

• Discipline: Religion imposes self-discipline and social order

• Cohesion: Religious ceremony allows people to reaffirm their commitment to social bonds

• Vitalising: Religion transmits values from one generation to the next, ensuring norms and values are vital to the organisation of society

• Euphoric: Alleviates frustrations by allowing people to become part of something bigger than themselves

What are the evaluations of Durkheim?

• Durkheim analysed what he perceived to be a primitive religious belief system

• He examined sacred artefacts or 'totems' as part of his research as well as ceremonies

• Concluded that there were four key functions, but that these were not necessarily supernatural but rather a celebration of society