39 Questions
What does functionalism in anthropology suggest about social institutions?
They exist to fulfill the needs of the society's members.
What is a common critique of functionalism?
It is seen as tautological due to circular reasoning.
How does the functional school view the purpose of magic in society?
To offer explanations and directions in an uncertain world.
What do critics of functionalism argue about its approach to social institutions?
That functionalism treats abstract concepts as concrete.
How do historians of religion feel about analyzing religion from a functionalist perspective?
That it implies religion exists purely for functional purposes.
What did Melford Spiro emphasize when arguing about the cause of a religious behavior?
Recognizing and satisfying the functional requirement
According to Clifford Geertz, what is the task of anthropologists in studying cultural systems?
To interpret the culturally specific 'webs of significance'
What approach does Clifford Geertz's work emphasize in understanding culture?
Interpretive approach
According to historians of religion, what is emphasized about religion's role?
A powerful and lived experience of a sacred reality
What does Melford Spiro argue is necessary when linking a function to a religious behavior?
Recognizing and seeking to satisfy the functional requirement
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.
How did Malinowski view the purpose of magic in society?
As a logical system used in times of uncertainty or emotional distress.
In functionalism, what role do rituals play in a society?
Rituals express basic sentiments and pass ideas from generation to generation.
Critics of functionalism might argue that:
Functionalism fails to view society as an integrated whole.
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.
According to the functional approach, what is the primary focus in studying religion?
Exploring the role and functions of religion in society
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
How do religions contribute to social cohesion according to the functional approach?
By fostering shared beliefs through rituals
In the functional approach, what is the significance of rituals in religion?
Rituals are a way to reinforce collective values and beliefs
What critique did Durkheim have regarding existing sanctions in society?
He thought that sanctions alone were insufficient to regulate behavior
What is one of the criticisms of functional approaches to studying religion?
They reduce religion to basic feelings and behaviors.
Which theoretical approach to studying religion emphasizes the importance of social and psychological functions?
Functionalist
What does an essentialist definition of religion focus on?
The domain of the extraordinary and supernatural
In the supernatural world, what happens to objects according to the text?
They move faster than light
What is one characteristic of supernatural beings according to the text?
They defy the basic laws of nature
What did Ninian Smart identify as one of the dimensions of religion?
Experiential dimension
According to functional definitions, what is the main purpose of rituals in religion?
To bring comfort to individuals
Who among the following theorists is associated with a more functional definition of religion?
Karl Marx
According to Clifford Geertz, what role do symbols play in a religion?
Establish moods and motivations
What is one criticism of functional definitions of religion mentioned in the text?
They cannot apply to non-religious beliefs and behaviors
What is the functional approach's primary question when studying religion?
What does religion do?
According to Malinowski, what is the function of magic?
To provide control and certainty in uncertain situations
Clifford Geertz believed that the role of anthropologists is to:
Analyze meaning and make sense of cultural systems
How does the psychosocial approach view the relationship between culture and personality?
As influencing each other
What is the theory of mind in relation to religion?
It refers to understanding others' mental states, leading to belief in spirit beings
How does functionalism view religion's role in society?
As a tool for maintaining social order and stability
In what way do religious symbols contribute to human existence?
By providing an ultimate meaning to human life
What does the interpretive approach focus on within cultural systems?
'Reading between the lines' of cultural texts
What distinguishes the functional approach from the interpretive approach in studying cultural systems?
Their focus on physical versus symbolic aspects of culture
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.
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.
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