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Jefferis
Main:
Geertz develops a theory of religion as a cultural system based upon an explanation of his
definition of religion: Religion is: (1) a system of symbols which acts to (2) establish
powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by (3) formulating
conceptions of a general order of existence and (4) clothing these conceptions with such
an aura of factuality that (5) the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic. (p. 4
or p. 90) 1
Summary:
Sociological theorizing on religion has not really advanced at all since the works of "four big
men": Durkheim, Weber, Freud and Malinowski.
To advance the theoretical understanding of religion one needs to broadly encompass
different frameworks provided by these different theorists and advance them in a coherent
fashion.
Culture: "a historically transmitted pattern of meanings embodied in symbols, a system of
inherited conceptions expressed in symbolic forms by means of which men communicate,
perpetuate, and develop their knowledge about and attitudes toward life." (89)
This article is separated into detailed discussion of each of the 5 parts in Geertzs definition
of religion. (See above Main section.)
1
Note: the e-reserve copy is missing pages. The physical copy of the text on reserve has different page numbers than
the e-reserve copy. The physical copy pages are the ones noted herein.
1
Elizabeth E. Jefferis
Moods: go nowhere and are rendered meaningful only according to the source of that "mood"
but not ends they pursue.