Anthropological Study of Religion

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Questions and Answers

What does functionalism in anthropology suggest about social institutions?

They serve individual interests only.

They exist to fulfill the needs of the society's members. (correct)

They have no specific purpose.

They are illusions created by humans.

What is a common critique of functionalism?

It argues that every institution has a specific function.

It implies that religion is purely illusory.

It is seen as tautological due to circular reasoning. (correct)

It emphasizes individual interests over societal needs.

How does the functional school view the purpose of magic in society?

To create uncertainty in an otherwise controlled world.

To offer explanations and directions in an uncertain world. (correct)

To challenge social norms.

To provide illusions to individuals.

What do critics of functionalism argue about its approach to social institutions?

That functionalism treats abstract concepts as concrete. Signup and view all the answers

How do historians of religion feel about analyzing religion from a functionalist perspective?

That it implies religion exists purely for functional purposes. Signup and view all the answers

What did Melford Spiro emphasize when arguing about the cause of a religious behavior?

Recognizing and satisfying the functional requirement Signup and view all the answers

According to Clifford Geertz, what is the task of anthropologists in studying cultural systems?

To interpret the culturally specific 'webs of significance' Signup and view all the answers

What approach does Clifford Geertz's work emphasize in understanding culture?

Interpretive approach Signup and view all the answers

According to historians of religion, what is emphasized about religion's role?

A powerful and lived experience of a sacred reality Signup and view all the answers

What does Melford Spiro argue is necessary when linking a function to a religious behavior?

Recognizing and seeking to satisfy the functional requirement Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about the relationship between social value and supernatural power?

Anything of great social value is seen as possessing more supernatural power. Signup and view all the answers

How did Malinowski view the purpose of magic in society?

As a logical system used in times of uncertainty or emotional distress. Signup and view all the answers

In functionalism, what role do rituals play in a society?

Rituals express basic sentiments and pass ideas from generation to generation. Signup and view all the answers

Critics of functionalism might argue that:

Functionalism fails to view society as an integrated whole. Signup and view all the answers

How did Radcliffe-Brown view social functions within a society?

Parts of society contribute to the overall well-being and maintenance of the whole society. Signup and view all the answers

According to the functional approach, what is the primary focus in studying religion?

Exploring the role and functions of religion in society Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of collective conscious as proposed by Émile Durkheim?

A set of shared beliefs that restrain individual selfishness and promote social cooperation Signup and view all the answers

How do religions contribute to social cohesion according to the functional approach?

By fostering shared beliefs through rituals Signup and view all the answers

In the functional approach, what is the significance of rituals in religion?

Rituals are a way to reinforce collective values and beliefs Signup and view all the answers

What critique did Durkheim have regarding existing sanctions in society?

He thought that sanctions alone were insufficient to regulate behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the criticisms of functional approaches to studying religion?

They reduce religion to basic feelings and behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

Which theoretical approach to studying religion emphasizes the importance of social and psychological functions?

Functionalist Signup and view all the answers

What does an essentialist definition of religion focus on?

The domain of the extraordinary and supernatural Signup and view all the answers

In the supernatural world, what happens to objects according to the text?

They move faster than light Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of supernatural beings according to the text?

They defy the basic laws of nature Signup and view all the answers

What did Ninian Smart identify as one of the dimensions of religion?

Experiential dimension Signup and view all the answers

According to functional definitions, what is the main purpose of rituals in religion?

To bring comfort to individuals Signup and view all the answers

Who among the following theorists is associated with a more functional definition of religion?

Karl Marx Signup and view all the answers

According to Clifford Geertz, what role do symbols play in a religion?

Establish moods and motivations Signup and view all the answers

What is one criticism of functional definitions of religion mentioned in the text?

They cannot apply to non-religious beliefs and behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What is the functional approach's primary question when studying religion?

What does religion do? Signup and view all the answers

According to Malinowski, what is the function of magic?

To provide control and certainty in uncertain situations Signup and view all the answers

Clifford Geertz believed that the role of anthropologists is to:

Analyze meaning and make sense of cultural systems Signup and view all the answers

How does the psychosocial approach view the relationship between culture and personality?

As influencing each other Signup and view all the answers

What is the theory of mind in relation to religion?

It refers to understanding others' mental states, leading to belief in spirit beings Signup and view all the answers

How does functionalism view religion's role in society?

As a tool for maintaining social order and stability Signup and view all the answers

In what way do religious symbols contribute to human existence?

By providing an ultimate meaning to human life Signup and view all the answers

What does the interpretive approach focus on within cultural systems?

'Reading between the lines' of cultural texts Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the functional approach from the interpretive approach in studying cultural systems?

Their focus on physical versus symbolic aspects of culture Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The functional approach in the anthropological study of religion emphasizes the role of religion in providing control, certainty, and explanations in society.
Religion is seen as an integrative force in society, expressing basic sentiments and passing down cultural ideas through rituals.
Bronislaw Malinowski viewed religion as meeting basic human needs and providing a logical system for uncertain situations.
Clifford Geertz popularized the interpretive approach, viewing culture as a text to be read for meaning and focusing on the importance of symbols in understanding cultural systems.
Émile Durkheim and Alfred R. Radcliffe-Brown saw society as an organism where collective beliefs and symbols promote social cooperation and maintain the whole.
The functional definition of religion looks at what religion does socially and psychologically, with rituals seen as bringing people together and providing comfort.
The psychosocial approach explores the relationship between culture and personality, suggesting that religion is a by-product of human brain evolution and the attribution of humanlike qualities to nonhuman entities.

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Description

Explore the concept of culture serving the needs and interests of society, and the role of magic in providing control and certainty in an uncertain world. Learn about the functional approach in anthropology which is still relevant today and will be discussed in future chapters.