SOCIOL 1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Radiance, Collective Effervescence, Sacred Love
Document Summary
The faithful believe they are held to certain kinds of behavior imposed by the nature do the the sacred principle with which they are engaged. Perpetual dependence; society requires us to become its servants, forget our own interests. We defer to society"s rules not b/c it has weapons to overcome our resistance b/ b/c it is the object of genuine respect. Something inspires respect when the representation of it is endowed with such power that it automatically stimulates/inhibits behavior. Society speaks through those who affirm them in our presence. Felt even by those who do not submit to it. Radiance of mental energy: suppresses contradictions, authorizes acts that embody it. Science can only contradict things if ppl believe in it. B/c social pressure exerts influence mentally - gave man idea that powers exist outside him to compel his submission. God not only authority but also support for beliefs.
