Durkheim

Question 1

How Does Durkheim define Religion?

Answer 1

Religion is a social, group phenomena and its internal features
(rules, beliefs, etc) are a function of the social conditions under
which it is practiced

Question 2

What are the three key elements of religion?

Answer 2

1. Beliefs and Rituals
2. The Sacred and the Profane
3. Collective Nature of Belief

Question 3

What are the sacred and the profane? How do they
relate to one another?

Answer 3

They are two worlds with nothing in common, and cannot interact. The sacred is above the profane

Question 4

What does Durkheim mean when he argues that the totem is a symbol? What is it a
symbol of?

Answer 4

He argues that the totem is a tangible form of the intangible, a representation of ideas that the clan holds dear
It is both literal and metaphorical

Question 5

What are some examples of Totems both religious and secular?

Answer 5

A sports teams logo
The cross

Question 6

What is the function of religion in a society, for Durkheim?

Answer 6

religion helps bind people together, define forces that are hard to understand, and can compel people to do things they wouldn’t otherwise do.

Question 7

what does Durkheim mean when he says that god and society are one and the same?

Answer 7

A society is to its members what a god is to its
faithful - There are many parallels between society and religion

Question 8

What is the source of the emotions felt during the corroboree?

Answer 8

Collective Effervescence

Question 9

Why is it necessary to symbolize the relationship between individual and god/society in
the form of a totem?

Answer 9

The totem is important for defining the emotions felt during collective effervescence with the clan

Question 10

What is Durkheim saying about religion?

Answer 10

Religion is none other than the feelings that it collectively inspires in its members, but projected outside and defined as religion