The Concept of Homo Religiosus

According to Clifford Geertz, which of the following is NOT a characteristic of religion?

A system of symbols

What is the main point made by Clifford Geertz in the given text?

Religion is a cultural construct

According to Geertz, what is the purpose of a system of symbols in religion?

To establish powerful moods and motivations

What does Geertz mean by 'clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality'?

Making the conceptions seem realistic Signup and view all the answers

According to Geertz, what is the role of religion in shaping human behavior?

To create personal motivations Signup and view all the answers

What does Geertz mean by 'establishing powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations'?

Shaping behavior deeply and for a long time Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Geertz's statement that religion formulates conceptions of a general order of existence?

It offers a framework for understanding reality Signup and view all the answers

According to Mircea Eliade's ontological approach, Homo religiosus is defined as

A being fundamentally hardwired with an orientation towards a greater and awesome Other. Signup and view all the answers

According to Eliade, what does religion consist of?

Beliefs, practices, rituals, and feelings that are directed towards the primal time. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first problem with the ontological approach to defining religion?

It fails to clearly define the terms 'spiritual' and 'supernatural'. Signup and view all the answers

What is the second problem with the ontological approach to defining religion?

It assumes that whatever characteristics identified as constitutive of religion are important characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difficulty in defining 'spiritual' or 'supernatural' according to the text?

Defining 'spiritual' or 'supernatural' is more difficult than defining religion itself. Signup and view all the answers

What does the ontological approach assume about the characteristics of religion?

The characteristics identified as constitutive of religion are important characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What does the ontological approach defer the question of defining religion to?

A greater and awesome Other. Signup and view all the answers

The Concept of Homo Religiosus

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