Excerpt from The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life: A Study in Religious Sociology
In reality, then, there are no religions which are false. All are true in their own fashion all answer, though in different ways, to the given conditions of human existence. It is undeniably possible to arrange them in a hierarchy. Some can be called superior to others, in the sense that they call into play higher mental functions, that they are richer in ideas and sentiments, that they contain more concepts with fewer sensations and images, and that their arrangement is wiser. But howsoever real this greater complexity and this higher ideality may be, they are not sufficient to place the corresponding religions in different classes. All are religions equally, just as all living beings are equally alive, from the most humble plastids up to man. So when we turn to primitive religions it is not with the idea of depreciating. Religion in general, for these religions are no less respectable than the others. They respond to the same needs, they play the same role, they depend upon the same causes; they can also well serve_ to show the nature of the religious life, and consequently to resolve the problem which we wish to study.
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EMILE DURKHEIM (1858-1917) was a French social scientist who organized the emerging branch of sociology and used its analytical methods to explore suicide, societies under strain, religion, the nature of the State, and economic life, among other subjects.
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Paperback. Condition: New. Print on Demand. This book delves into the heart of human religious experience by exploring the most fundamental forms of belief and ritual. The author argues that studying the simplest religions known to us can unlock profound insights into the universal nature of religious thought and practice. By analyzing these early belief systems, the book sheds light on the origins of core concepts like time, space, and causality, revealing their surprising connection to social structures and collective thought. This exploration leads to a fascinating reinterpretation of the theory of knowledge, demonstrating how social forces have shaped the very way we understand the world around us. Through meticulous examination of rituals and beliefs, the book uncovers the essential elements of sacrifice, the meaning of sacredness, and the complex relationship between the individual and the collective. Ultimately, it reveals the enduring power of religion as a reflection of our deepest human needs and a testament to the creative force of society. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book. print-on-demand item. Seller Inventory # 9781330590539_0
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PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # LW-9781330590539
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PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # LW-9781330590539
Quantity: 15 available