RajeshwariAIR 2 · CSE 2025 · 365 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
None written.
Body · points and prose
Religion is the unified system of belief and practices that have control over society and individual.
Both Durkheim and Weber studied religion since religion form a basic social institution in any society.
Difference between Weberian and Durkheim in theory of Religion :
Close · a summary
| Durkheim | Weber |
|---|---|
| → Religion is the unified system of belief and practices that control individual | → Religion is a social system that have beliefs and practices based on human interpretation |
| Durkheim | Weber |
|---|---|
| → Focus on Religion control over the human being | → Focus on individual interpretations of the religion |
| → Religion consist of 'sacred' and 'profane' ↳ (forbidden) | → No such separate elements in religion (causal pluralism) |
| → Funtions : | |
| i) cohesion | |
| ii) Discipline | |
| iii) cognition | |
| iv) Euphonia | → Functions : |
| i) Functional : social solidarity | |
| ii) Dysfunctional : if not rationalised. | |
| → Studied primitive religion ↳ [Totemism] | → Studied complex religion ↳ [Protestantism] |
| Durkheim | Weber |
|---|---|
| → Religion and social solidarity was studied | → Religion & Economic relation |
| eg Protestant Ethic & spirit of capitalism | |
| → Primitive societies only studied | → World societies was studied. |
| → Generalisation on religion was made | → No generalisation insisted on ideal type of religion |
| → Religion exist still human exist | → Religion will dilute due to rationalisation |
| → Religion is a non-material association of society. | → Insisted on metaphysical things |
| Durkheim | Weber |
|---|---|
| → No use of any intermediaries | → stated on godmen, witchmen |
| → Religion and science coexist | → Religion dies as science develops |
Both Durkheim and Weber realised the significance of religion. Durkheim did positivist study and was criticised as arm chair theorist. Weber did interpretivist study and was criticised for not taking multiple factors.
Hence Durkheim and Weber studies on religion throw light on the essence of religion in society