Symbol and Theory
A Philosophical Study of Theories of Religion in Social Anthropology
- Author: John Skorupski
- Date Published: May 1983
- availability: Available
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521272520
Paperback
Looking for an inspection copy?
Please email [email protected] to enquire about an inspection copy of this book
-
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.
Customer reviews
Not yet reviewed
Be the first to review
Review was not posted due to profanity
×Product details
- Date Published: May 1983
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521272520
- length: 284 pages
- dimensions: 216 x 140 x 16 mm
- weight: 0.36kg
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
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.
Sorry, this resource is locked
Please register or sign in to request access. If you are having problems accessing these resources please email [email protected]
Register Sign in» Proceed
You are now leaving the Cambridge University Press website. Your eBook purchase and download will be completed by our partner www.ebooks.com. Please see the permission section of the www.ebooks.com catalogue page for details of the print & copy limits on our eBooks.
Continue ×Are you sure you want to delete your account?
This cannot be undone.
Thank you for your feedback which will help us improve our service.
If you requested a response, we will make sure to get back to you shortly.
×