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But what inspires morals to be created as opposed to our natural, rational thinking? Collins argues that social rituals produce these moral feelings. By doing this, the people partaking in the unifying rituals, which creates group solidarity. Their shared experiences allowed them to achieve accomplishments in a contractual society such as creation of businesses, and citizen's rule abiding tendencies. Social rituals allow people to feel like they belong among other members of society. When people believe that they are members of something, then they do their best to make that society or organization functional. Furthermore, social rituals create moral ideas, and symbolic symbols which Collins says is the basis of religion. That being said, religion is the link to social solidarity. Religious beliefs are important, not because of what they claim but the fact that people can be brought together underneath…
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Functionalism is a macro theory, which is based on society as a whole, rather than just that of the individual. It is argued that functionalism generates many things for society. Religion, from a functionalist point of view, socialises people, teaching them norms and values of society, which are the basis for social unity. Religion further is a structure within functionalism which aids in influencing individuals lives. Functionalism claims that social solidarity, the uniting of people in society is an important part of maintaining social order, which is a functional pre-requisite for society to survive. In addition, Functionalists use the term, ‘Organic Analogy’, which is the comparison between society and the human body. The idea that like organs is a necessary condition in a human body, ensuring it functions correctly, society has different institutions, like religion which join up with others to enable society to work well, maintaining mutual agreement in society.…
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Emile Durkheim studied a clan society called the Arunta, he explains that the collective worship of the sacred totem unified society. He explained that their totem is sacred, it inspired feelings of wonder and awe due to the fact it is different to every other normal, profane item. Durkheim believes that the key feature of religion was not merely a belief in gods or higher powers, but the difference between the sacred and mundane. Durkheim continues to say that whatever religion sees to be sacred, must be seen to represent society itself, therefore when one worships a sacred symbol, one is worshiping society itself. This shows that religion is a means of uniting all people and tribes, through a consensus.…
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Durkheim talks about Totemism, a religion where members worship an object, animal or plant which has meanings. They support the view that religion inevitably acts as a conservative force in society because Totemism is a force for stability. The totem represented the group and stood for the values in the community, therefore by worshipping the totem, they were in fact worshipping society. Totemism is a force for stability and harmony because the members have the same values. This is reinforced by rituals and ceremonies that take place in the community. These events bring the tribe together as a group reaffirming their group identity. However one…
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Human life is entirely social. Our social ties and everyday face to face interactions with others are guided by common cultural norms and expectations, shared interpretations of reality, and the statuses and the roles assumed in our interactions. Social life then is guided and organized in patterned interactions with others that form groups. Social groups are “collections of people who interact regularly with one another and who are aware of their status as a group” (Croteau & Hoynes, 2013). People in a group share common bonds and integration based on their similar interests, values, norms, and expectations.…
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* This is supported by Malinowski (1954), although Malinowski agrees that religion brings solidarity he believes this happens by performing psychological functions for the individual rather than making them just feel integrated. Can use this if you want but you don’t need…
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Durkheim defines religion as “a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things”. He says all societies divide the world into the sacred and the profane. Sacred are things set apart and forbidden, inspiring feelings of awe, fear and wonder. Profane are ordinary things that have no significance. His view on sacred symbols represents society's collective consciousness which is the shared norms, values beliefs and knowledge that make social life possible; without such consciousness it would crumble. Participating in shared rituals binds individuals together reminding them that they are a part of a community. Religion defines values as sacred giving the people great power compared to non-believers. Through collective worship society understands the moral bonds that unite them. Durkheim argues that religion functions to reinforce the collective unity or social solidarity of a group. The individual sees religion performing a significant function allowing them to feel a part of society and strengthens us to face life's trials and motivates us to overcome obstacles that would otherwise overpower us. Durkheim used the religion of Aborigines to develop his argument. He calls their religion 'totemism', as each clan of aborigines had a sacred symbol called a totem which was a symbol of their gods and of their society which reinforces their sense of…
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This tells us that the social organization is based off of Karma, which is a part of their religion. So their religion plays a major role in the social structures of their societies.…
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Durkheim believed that in modern societies there was agreement or consensus over society’s norms and values, which resulted in social order and stable societies. Durkheim believed this occurred because society’s institutions successfully implemented social control. For Durkheim social control is positive (unlike interactionist and Marxist views on social control) as it creates social cohesion. Durkheim believes social control is achieved by various agencies of social control socialising individuals into socially agreed norms and values (regulation) and by integrating individuals into social groups. For example, schools bond individuals together into school communities and classes. They instil core norms & values through citizenship programmes. Religion binds people together during times of happiness e.g. weddings and sadness e.g. funerals.…
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Durkheim sees the relationship of the individual to the society in a rather complex way. Durkheim believes that we are all cognitive beings that have unique, individual qualities that make us different. These differences set us apart inside of the society, yet, we all play a key role in it. We all share a bond together whether it be one of social solidarity, common consciousness, or system of law. The two parts to this question can be summed up with the role of the individual and the concept of the society. Individuals as stated by Durkheim have their own cognitive ability, they have thoughts, influences, desires and so many things that set them apart, however, the true relationship comes from the role of society. Durkeheim sees society as a thing rather than a place or a concept. It has an existence of its own, apart from the individuals within it. The molding of the individual, the thoughts of the people, the styles, trends, and basic life of the individual is molded and shaped by the society. This is what Durkheim found fascinating, the effect of the society on the individual and the complex role that the individuals have in guiding the society. The relationship of the individual to the society can be summed up by saying that the individuals guide then society, however, the society molds the individuals within it, guiding the moral compasses of the individuals as well as the thoughts, trends, and behaviors.…
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So what is links an individual and society? It is the virtues. “The underlying assumption was that a person is who he or she is by virtue of his or her place and role in the community, by virtue of his or her actions and sense of judgment, bu virtue of his or her…
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One of Durkheim’s main functions was ‘social solidarity.’ Social solidarity means ‘social unity’ what’s meant by this is that society should have a sense of solidarity. Individual members must feel themselves to become a part of a community. Durkheim believes that the education system helps to creates social solidarity by transmitting society’s culture. He believes the education system does this by teaching children about a country’s history, he believes this instils in children a sense of a shared heritage and a commitment to the wider social group. Durkheim believes that social solidarity is good because he believes that it creates a stronger society, knowing about the different norms and values that are considered vital in society.…
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Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that relate humanity to spirituality and sometimes, to moral values (Talal, 1982). Religions most notably are represented by symbols, stories, traditions or anything that tends to explain the meaning of life or the creation of earth and its beings. Each religion has its take on morality, ethics, religious laws, and lifestyle. Many religions have determined behaviors which include meetings or worship services. During these services they are worshipping their deity or praying to him or her. In observing religion, you may also see other services that members may be involved in which include sacrifices, revivals, feasts or dinners, initiations, funerals, marriage ceremonies, meditations, music, dances, and art.…
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As previously mentioned, functionalists argue that social order and solidarity to run smoothly – Durkheim argued that there are four main ways in which religion maintains value consensus. One way is through the sacred and profane, he argued that sacred referred to things that are separate from society and create feelings of awe, wonder and fear whereas profane referred to things that were inferior with no real significance. Durkheim therefore argued that the only thing powerful enough to inspire people in the way religion does is society itself therefore meaning people are not worshipping their religion or god, but in fact society – this means that people unite under the same belief, spreading shared norms and values all over and therefore creating consensus within society.…
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Society is a system where branches are dependent on one another for stability, and some of these legs may include rituals, religion, economics, educational systems, and a family unity. Durkheim upheld the views that, “the currents of ideas and emotions that generated when people interact and that constrain individuals from the outside (Collins, 1994, p. 197).”…
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