SOC 3701 Chapter Notes - Chapter 17: Empirical Evidence, Universal Property, Sui Generis
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E(cid:373)ile durkhei(cid:373), (cid:862)the ele(cid:373)e(cid:374)tary for(cid:373)s of religious life(cid:863) (cid:894)(cid:1005)(cid:1004)/(cid:1005)7(cid:895) Historical analysis is the only means of explanation which it is possible to apply to religions. Go back to the most primitive and simple form and then how it developed into what it is today. Attack from the outset- the solution given is destined to affect the whole science. Problem- people confine themselves to analyzing the idea which they make for themselves of religion, except as they illustrate the result of this mental analysis by examples borrowed from religions which best realize their ideal. So many elements it is hard to distinguish what is secondary from what is principal: secondary characteristics come from the development of luxury, not present in (cid:862)lower societies(cid:863) If philosophy and the sciences were born of religion, it is because religion began by taking the space of sciences and philosophy.
