SOCIAL THEORIES ON RELIGION

Compare and Contrast the Social Theories of Emile Durkheim & Max Weber with respect to Religion. State which of the two views you find most Persuasive and Explain why



Compare and Contrast the Social Theories of Emile Durkheim & Max Weber with respect to Religion. State which of the two views you find most Persuasive & Explain Why

Introduction

In this essay, we would compare the social theories proposed by Max Weber and Emile Durkheim. A thorough analysis would be conducted on their perspectives of the society. Their position on religion would be discussed and measured for substance, value and neutrality. The positions maintained by both Weber and Durkheim would be carefully assessed. The essay would conclude with a justification of the viewpoint which seems more rational.

The views on sociology of Max Weber and Emile Durkheim highlight that our identity is a product of the society we live in. Karl Marx believed that human consciousness is totally related to material production and economic variables (Allan, 2005, pp. 69). Hence, Marx held a firm opinion against religion, idealism and most philosophers. It is evident that he was quite sceptical of the society and its orthodox values. There seems to be a consensus among professionals that scientific oppression could only be liberated with the help of scientific knowledge. Bruce (2002) in his book “God is Dead: Secularization in the West” believes that “massive movements have been launched to counter secularization, but history reveals that it has only added momentum to it” (Bruce, 2002, pp. 244).

During the period of 1960s, a massive public movement was launched against the pre-existing domination of idealism introduced by the Parsons. The challenge was successful and allowed to conceive an equal one sided affair in its place. The discipline of sociology in modern society is dominated by micro and macro orientations that could either be anti-cultural, anti-systemic or both (Alexander, 1988, pp. 66). However, this claim is made in a different way by both Emile Durkheim & Max Weber.

Although, individually they were not very religious, the power that religion had on other people always interested them. Their theories revolved around the fact that religion was just a fantasy and it was a mix of culture and setting that influenced it and caused it to become a fundamental truth. We know that different religions are followed in different human cultures and societies, but we do believe that religion was there since the beginning of times. Religion has stayed a central part of societies and has an effect on individuals; therefore, sociologists are keen on learning how religion is such an important part of the society.

There are two ways in which the sociologists study the aspect of religion, one is as a belief system and secondly as a social institution. Similarly, Emile Durkheim's beliefs and his orthodox positions have managed to add scale, depth, and spirit to the classical theory in the field of sociology (Emirbayer, 2003, pp. 1). On the contrary, successors to philosophers ...