Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of Family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
7. Brief upon the idea of Durkheim’s materialistic explanation of religion. (250 words)
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications
Why the question:
The question is based on the ethical ideas of Durkheim.
Key Demand of the question:
One must discuss in detail the idea of Durkheim’s materialistic explanation of religion.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Talk about Durkheim in the introductory part.
Body:
According to Durkheim, religion is the product of human activity, not divine intervention. He thus treats religion as a sui generis social fact and analyzes it sociologically.
According to him, religion is something eminently social. Religious representations are collective representations which express collective reality. Recognizing the social origin of religion, Durkheim argued that religion acted as a source of solidarity. Religion provides a meaning for life. Durkheim saw it as a critical part of the social system. Religion provides social control, cohesion and purpose for people as well as another means of communication and gathering for individuals to interact and reaffirm social norms.
Durkheim’s concern about religion lay in the fact that it was one of the main agencies of solidarity and morality in society and was therefore parts of the central problem of social solidarity which he wished to explore. Emile Durkheim has many purposes for studying elementary forms of Religion.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of his ideas.
