O que define uma religião? | Frank Usarski

Summary

The video explores the complexities of defining religion, starting with its etymological roots in Latin and various interpretations. It discusses functional perspectives, highlighting Durkheim’s view of religion as a social integrator and Marx’s view of it as an escape from societal misery. The speaker contrasts substantial definitions, which focus on belief in a higher power, and reflects on how modernity often sees religion as a separate sphere from other societal domains. The video emphasizes the need to rethink the role of religion in contemporary life and its varied expressions across different cultures.

Takeaways

• 😀 The definition of religion is central to the science of religion as it defines the object of study.
• 😀 The first attempt at defining religion is etymological, tracing the word 'religio' back to Latin.
• 😀 The term 'religio' is associated with the concept of following something meticulously, linked to Roman religiosity.
• 😀 A major difficulty in defining religion arises from the different associations with the word 'religio'.
• 😀 A functional definition of religion looks at its effects, such as integration within social groups, as suggested by Durkheim.
• 😀 Religion is a collective phenomenon, never isolated; it operates through groups and institutions, rather than being purely individual.
• 😀 Marx's view on religion suggests it acts as a coping mechanism for life's hardships, giving people meaning and a sense of purpose.
• 😀 Religion can legitimize governments and social systems, such as the caste system, which shows how it supports societal structures.
• 😀 The substantial definition of religion differentiates it from philosophy by asserting that religion involves a belief in a higher power or force.
• 😀 In modern times, religion is often seen as an autonomous sphere that interacts with other spheres like economy and science, though this separation is not present in all cultures.
• 😀 In some cultures, particularly ancient ones like Hinduism, religion is all-encompassing and influences all aspects of life, showing that the concept of religion can vary widely across cultures.

Q & A

What is the central issue when defining religion, according to the transcript?

The central issue is the difficulty in defining religion itself, as it directly affects how the object of study is approached in the science of religion.

What is the etymological approach to defining religion?

The etymological approach seeks to explore the history and origin of the word 'religion,' which comes from the Latin word 'religio.' It appears across many European languages, but the challenge lies in determining the verb associated with this noun.

What is the traditional interpretation of the Latin root of 'religio'?

Traditionally, 'religio' is linked to the verb 'religare,' which suggests a connection to reality or following something closely, as seen in Roman religiosity.

What alternative association is presented in the transcript regarding 'religio'?

An alternative association links 'religio' to the word 'rel,' related to following something meticulously, emphasizing the Roman concept of religiosity.

What does the functional definition of religion ask about?

The functional definition of religion asks about its effects, particularly the role religion plays in integrating individuals into society and addressing social needs, as seen in Durkheim's sociological approach.

What is Durkheim's view on the role of religion in society?

Durkheim, a sociologist, posits that religion functions to integrate individuals into groups and institutions, emphasizing that religion is never isolated but tied to collective life.

How does Marx view religion in relation to social conditions?

Marx sees religion as a response to misery and frustrations, serving as a way to cope with life's hardships by projecting an idealized version of reality and offering a sense of meaning and hope.

What example does the transcript provide of how religion can legitimize social structures?

The example provided is the caste system, where religion helps legitimize social hierarchies and inequalities.

What is the substantive definition of religion mentioned in the transcript?

The substantive definition of religion is that it involves the belief in a higher power or force that is greater than human beings, something to which humans are dependent.

How is the concept of religion viewed in modernity according to the transcript?

In modernity, religion is often seen as a nearly autonomous sphere that interacts with other spheres such as economy and science, though this separation is not universally recognized across all cultures.

How does the transcript describe the interaction between religion and other societal spheres in different cultures?

In many traditional cultures, such as Hinduism, religion is deeply integrated into all aspects of life, including economic and scientific matters, which contrasts with the modern separation of religion from other spheres.

What is the final suggestion in the transcript regarding the study of religion?

The final suggestion is to expand our understanding of religion to recognize its diverse forms and how it manifests in different contexts, encouraging a broader, more inclusive perspective on religion.