1. Durkheim's Sacred and Profane: Foundation of Religion
The Elementary Forms of Religious Life (1912)
Why Durkheim Wrote This Book:
- To answer: What is religion really? Where does it come from? What does it DO for society?
- His method: Study the SIMPLEST, most PRIMITIVE religion first - understand basic building blocks, understand all religion
- Which religion? The Arunta tribe of Australia - practised Totemism (worshipping animals/plants as sacred clan symbols)
- His logic: "If I can find what is common and essential in the most primitive religion, that is what is universal and essential in ALL religions"
Key Conclusion:
"Religion is not about God or supernatural beings. Religion is about society. When you worship God, you are actually worshipping your own community. God = Society in disguise." - Durkheim
Durkheim's Definition of Religion:
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In these notes
- Durkheim's Sacred and Profane: Foundation of Religion
- The Sacred: Things Set Apart and Forbidden
- The Profane: The Ordinary and Everyday
- Comparing Sacred and Profane
- Totemism: The Birth of the Sacred
- Collective Effervescence: The Energy Behind Religion
- Rituals: Maintaining the Sacred-Profane Boundary
- What the Sacred Does for Society
- Critical Evaluation of Durkheim's Theory
- Civil Religion: Durkheim in Modern Society
- Q: Explain Durkheim's Concept of the Sacred and the Profane with Suitable Examples
- Quick Revision Summary
- How to Write Answers on Sacred and Profane
- Expected Questions for OPSC/UPSC
- Complete Summary