A Durkheimian Analysis of the Execution of Troy Anthony Davis
A Durkheimian Analysis of the Execution of Troy Anthony Davis
Section A: Synthesis of Durkheim
Durkheim’s major argument in The Elementary Forms of Religious Life (1912) is that society is the basis of religion and religion is basis of society. Essentially for Durkheim, religion’s central concern is society. Religion is a set of symbols, rituals, and beliefs that exist in order to solidify and reinforce society. Religion is not just the realm of the supernatural, of spirits and gods. This is not to say that the supernatural cannot be part of religion, but it is not the essential aspect of religion. Rather the essential aspect of religion is the symbols and rituals that separate the sacred from the profane and serve to maintain social cohesion.
An essential element for Durkheim is the symbol. He describes totemism in order to explain how there is a parallel between the totem and the social group, from this the social is created and reinforced through the symbol of the totem. The example of the totem works because the clan has a totem (usually plant or animal) that represents the collective group, and is also the totem of each member. Members are joined by bonds of kinship, not in terms of blood relations but through mutual obligations such as “assistance, vengeance, mourning; the obligation not to intermarry” (88). The Totem serve as a name and an emblem, and most importantly the totem is a sacred thing: He uses the example of Churingas, polished stone or pieces of wood engraved with drawing of totem. The profane (women &uninitiated men) can’t touch or look at it; it has healing powers, reproductive powers, and imbibes strength, for “it is the emblem that is sacred” (99). The distinction between the sacred and the profane is central to the Durkheim’s concept of religion.
Separating the sacred from the profane is the work of the negative cult. The negative cult works to separate the sacred from the profane by prohibitions. These prohibitions can be
Section A: Synthesis of Durkheim
Durkheim’s major argument in The Elementary Forms of Religious Life (1912) is that society is the basis of religion and religion is basis of society. Essentially for Durkheim, religion’s central concern is society. Religion is a set of symbols, rituals, and beliefs that exist in order to solidify and reinforce society. Religion is not just the realm of the supernatural, of spirits and gods. This is not to say that the supernatural cannot be part of religion, but it is not the essential aspect of religion. Rather the essential aspect of religion is the symbols and rituals that separate the sacred from the profane and serve to maintain social cohesion.
An essential element for Durkheim is the symbol. He describes totemism in order to explain how there is a parallel between the totem and the social group, from this the social is created and reinforced through the symbol of the totem. The example of the totem works because the clan has a totem (usually plant or animal) that represents the collective group, and is also the totem of each member. Members are joined by bonds of kinship, not in terms of blood relations but through mutual obligations such as “assistance, vengeance, mourning; the obligation not to intermarry” (88). The Totem serve as a name and an emblem, and most importantly the totem is a sacred thing: He uses the example of Churingas, polished stone or pieces of wood engraved with drawing of totem. The profane (women &uninitiated men) can’t touch or look at it; it has healing powers, reproductive powers, and imbibes strength, for “it is the emblem that is sacred” (99). The distinction between the sacred and the profane is central to the Durkheim’s concept of religion.
Separating the sacred from the profane is the work of the negative cult. The negative cult works to separate the sacred from the profane by prohibitions. These prohibitions can be
Bibliography: Cook, R., Merrigan, J., & Bluestein, G. (2011, September 22). Daily Mail Online. Retrieved September 30, 2011, from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2040553/Troy-Davis-execution-Eye-witness-accounts-reporters-watched-die.html Durkheim, E. (1912). The Elementary Forms of Religious Life. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001.