Symbol and Theory: A Philosophical Study of Theories of Religion in Social Anthropology - Brossura

Skorupski, John

Brossura

ISBN 10: 0521272521 ISBN 13: 9780521272520

Casa editrice: Cambridge University Press, 2010

Riassunto

Anthropologists have always been concerned with the difference between traditional (or 'primitive') and scientific modes of thought and with the relationships between magic, religion and science. John Skorupski distinguishes two broadly opposed approaches to these problems: the 'intellectualist' regards primitive systems of thought and actions as cosmologies, comparable to scientific theory, which emerge and persist as attempts to control the natural world; the 'symbolist' regards them as essentially representative or expressive of the pattern of social relations in the culture in which they exist. Dr Skorupski considers in particular the notions of ritual, ceremony and symbol. He shows how their understanding involves and suggests more general philosophical problems of relativism, interpretation, translation, and the connections between belief and action. These are difficult and important problems and require an unusual combination of imagination and interdisciplinary exercise. This book is intended especially for philosophers, social anthropologists, social theorists and students of comparative religion.

Su questo libro

Descrizione del libro:

John Skorupski examines the difference between primitive and scientific modes of thought by distinguishing two broadly opposed approaches to the problem: the 'intellectualist' regards primitive systems of thought as cosmologies which emerge and persist as attempts to control the natural world; the 'symbolist' regards them as essentially representative or expressive of the pattern of social relations in the culture which they exist.

Contenuti:

Part I. The Framework of Belief: 1. The intellectualist programme; 2. The Durkheimian thesis; 3. Variations on the symbolist theme; 4. Symbol and theory; Part II. Ritual Action: 5. 'Ritual'; 6. Ceremony and interaction; 7. Operative ceremonies; 8. Symbols and symbolic action; 9. Theories of magic; Part III. The Framework of Belief: Intellectualism: 10. 'Ritual' reconsidered; 11. Intellectualism, 'Frazerian' and 'Dorkheimian'; 123. 'Traditional' and 'Modern'; 13. Paradox and explanation; Appendix.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Cambridge University Press
• Data di pubblicazione: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0521272521
• ISBN 13: 9780521272520
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero di pagine: 284