Karl Marx and Emile Durkeim on Religion - 1280 Words

Through looking at Karl Marx’s application of religion as well as Emile Durkheim’s concepts of religion, it is shown that religion is an ideology that is seen throughout modern society. Although there are many different views surrounding religion, my main objective in this essay is to assess Marx’s claim that Religion is an ideology by focusing primarily on Marx and Durkheim’s views on religion. In order to establish religion as an ideology, we must start by looking at what makes something an ideology. I will then be analysing Marx’s view on religion as an opium of the masses, using other anthropological approaches to religion, such as Durkheim’s, to get a better understanding of the ideas surrounding religion and then applying these ideas to real life examples in two societies that show these different theories of religion. â€Å"Religion may be said to include forms of social belief in supernatural powers which are public and are given public expression through ritual.† (Eriksen, 1995) Religion itself is a set of different organised beliefs about the role of humans in the relationship between the different aspects of reality including the natural and supernatural. J.G. Frazer describes religion as a conciliation of powers superior to man, which are believed to direct and control the course of nature and human life (1990). Similarly, an ideology refers to a system of beliefs that work collectively to support a social system. Just like ideologies provide guides for individuals,Show MoreRelatedA Critical outline of the main features of Functionalism, Symbolic Interactionism And Marxism1376 Words   |  6 PagesSociology, the study of society; has been adapted by many sociologists so as to put across their own theories. The most important Sociologists of the early 19th century were Emile Durkeim, K arl Marx and Max Weber; a common factor with all these men is that they were all influenced by the world in which they lived. I intend to, throughout this essay, explain these three different theories, evaluate them and also critically outline their main features. The Functionalist sees society as built up andRead MoreSocial Institutions And Its Impact On Society1602 Words   |  7 Pagessocial institutions which have considerable impacts on the lives of the members of society, such as religion and education. These institution act as the means of providing opportunity for the overall development of individuals. In this regard it can be said that â€Å"The role of religion is to remind republican citizens of their duties to and reliance upon God. Virtue is the bedrock of free society, and religion provides a constant reminder of that fact† (Palmer, 2008). Academic institutions, on the otherRead MoreMarx And Durkeim on Religion Essay1846 Words   |  8 Pagesdo we account for religion - its origin, its development, and even its persistence in modern society? This is a question which has occupied many people in a variety of fields for quite a long time. At one point, the answers were framed in purely theological and religious terms, ass uming the truth of Christian revelations and proceeding from there. In the 18th and 19th centuries, a more naturalistic approach developed. Instead of needing to believe in the truth of the religion, what was requiredRead MoreScociological1136 Words   |  5 Pagesnot, then the aspect will not pass onto the next generation. There were two people who were mainly involved in the development of the functionalist perspective. The French sociologist David Emile Durkeim and Talcott Parsons. Durkheim contributed to the functionalist perspective when he studied religion, and how it was responsible for people feeling solidarity and unity in groups. Parsons was a sociologist from Harvard University who was greatly influenced by Durkheim. In return, he influencesRead MoreDiscuss the Structural (Ist) Functionalist Perspective in Sociology. (Your Answer Should Focus on the Strengths and Weaknesses of Functionalist and Marxist Perspectives)1206 Words   |  5 Pagessociety work together t owards a common goal derived from value consensus to maintain social stability, social order and equilibrium. Functionalism began with Auguste Comte (1798-1857) and Herbert Spencer (1820-1903). It was further developed by Emile Durkeim and other modern sociologists such as Talcott Parsons and by R. K. Merton. Functionalists focus on factors such as functions, social order and value consensus which are achieved by the various social institutions in society. They all assist in