Emile Durkheim, elementary forms of religious life

social phenomena

arise from a group

main purpose of religion

a system of notions by which ind imagines the society to which they belong

what makes worship meaningful

Strengthen ties between ind + society

periodic renewal

rituals

Sacred

set apart protected forbidden

Profane

ordinary everyday

Collective representation

shared ideas/symbols created by the group

exist through interaction

collective effervesce

heightened emotional energy generated when a group assembles

Ritual

regulated repeated collective action through which effervescence is expressed and sacred is expressed + renewed

Totem(ism)

religious system where a clan is symbolically unified by an animal/plant emblem

Totem

clans flag

worshipping it = worshipping the society

Sacred symbolism

material objects onto which collective feeling is anchored

symbol (not thing itself) becomes the object of reverence

Social cohesion

bond holding a group together

produced and renewed through shared symbols rituals and collective emotional experience

Morality

obligation imposed on the ind by society

Collective energy

surplus of vitality an ind feels when part of an assembled group

crisis and ritual renewal

feelings generated by collected life fade once group disperses

societies periodically reassemble to charge

Mechanical bond

social bond in traditional societies - shared beliefs and similarities between members

Organic solidarity

social bond in modern complex societies

Inter-dependance between dif roles

Anomie

state of normlessness

division of labour can lead to divided interests

Social integration

degree to which ind and bonded into social groups

Social regulation

degree to which society constrains and guides ind desires / behaviour with norms