Durkheim on Religion | Beliefs in Society | A-Level Sociology

Summary

This video explores Durkheim's functionalist perspective on religion, focusing on its role in promoting social cohesion, maintaining social order, and preserving societal values. Durkheim examines the Aboriginal Arunta tribe, highlighting how sacred symbols and totems foster group identity and solidarity. He identifies four key functions of religion: discipline, cohesion, vitalization, and euphoria, emphasizing how religion helps regulate behavior, reinforce traditions, and provide a sense of purpose. While criticized for overlooking the spiritual aspects of religion and assuming a singular belief system, Durkheim's work underscores the importance of religion in supporting societal norms and values.

Takeaways

• 😀 Durkheim, a functionalist, defined religion based on the functions it performs in society.
• 😀 Durkheim argued that religion promotes social cohesion, creating bonds between individuals.
• 😀 Religion, according to Durkheim, maintains social order by fostering a value consensus in society.
• 😀 Durkheim viewed religion as a conservative force, ensuring rapid social changes were kept in check and preventing anomie.
• 😀 In his study of the Aruna (Aboriginal tribe), Durkheim classified activities into sacred and profane, with the sacred promoting social unity.
• 😀 The sacred activities in religion, such as rituals and ceremonies, evoke awe, wonder, or fear, helping to bind people together.
• 😀 Totems, used by the Aruna tribe, were symbolic focal points in religious rituals, creating a collective identity for the group.
• 😀 Durkheim believed that totems did not have supernatural qualities but were functional tools for societal cohesion.
• 😀 Durkheim identified four main functions of religion: discipline, cohesion, vitalization, and euphoric release.
• 😀 Despite criticism, Durkheim's analysis highlights the role of religion in maintaining social order, even though its relevance may be reduced in secular societies.

Q & A

What is Durkheim's functionalist view of religion?

Durkheim's functionalist view of religion suggests that religion is defined by the functions it performs for society, such as promoting social cohesion, maintaining social order, and ensuring a value consensus. He argued that religion helps to bind individuals together and prevent anomie in society.

How did Durkheim see religion contributing to social cohesion?

Durkheim believed that religion promoted social cohesion by bringing individuals together through shared rituals, traditions, and ceremonies. These collective experiences created bonds and reinforced the unity of society, helping to integrate individuals into the social fabric.

What role did Durkheim think religion played in maintaining social order?

Durkheim viewed religion as a key institution in maintaining social order. Through its norms, values, and rituals, religion regulated behavior, both at the individual and societal levels, promoting self-discipline and contributing to the overall stability of society.

What is the significance of the concept of 'totems' in Durkheim's study of religion?

In his study of the Arunta tribe, Durkheim observed the use of totems as sacred symbols or artifacts. These totems were central to religious rituals and ceremonies, representing the collective conscience of society. Durkheim argued that they provided individuals with a sense of belonging and identity, rather than possessing any supernatural qualities.

What are the four key functions that Durkheim attributed to religion?

Durkheim identified four key functions of religion: (1) discipline, which helps regulate behavior and maintain social order; (2) cohesion, which strengthens social bonds through collective ceremonies; (3) vitalization, which ensures the transmission of traditions across generations; and (4) euphoric, which provides individuals with a sense of purpose and a way to cope with suffering.

How did Durkheim's view of religion help explain social integration?

Durkheim saw religion as an essential tool for social integration. Through collective worship and shared religious practices, individuals reaffirm their commitment to societal norms and values, thus reinforcing their integration into society. Religion creates a sense of community and belonging that strengthens societal cohesion.

Why did Durkheim believe religion acted as a conservative force?

Durkheim believed that religion acted as a conservative force by ensuring that rapid social changes were controlled and that society remained stable. By reinforcing established norms and values, religion helped to prevent anomie, or normlessness, during times of social upheaval.

What was Durkheim's view on the spiritual significance of religious artifacts?

Durkheim was criticized for failing to fully recognize the spiritual significance of religious artifacts and ceremonies. Critics, such as Worley, argued that Durkheim reduced religious symbols to functional objects, overlooking their deeper spiritual meanings.

How does Durkheim's view of religion differ from the diversity of beliefs in contemporary societies?

Durkheim's view of religion was based on the assumption that society operated with a singular belief system, which does not align with the diversity of beliefs in contemporary societies. Critics argue that his approach does not adequately address the pluralism and variety of religious perspectives found in modern, particularly Western, societies.

What are some criticisms of Durkheim's analysis of religion in contemporary societies?

Critics argue that Durkheim's analysis of religion is outdated in the context of modern, secular societies. They suggest that religion no longer plays the same unifying role in maintaining social cohesion, especially in societies where secularization has reduced the influence of religion on social life. Additionally, his focus on a singular belief system fails to capture the religious diversity present in contemporary societies.