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

John Skorupski examines the difference between or primitive and scientific modes of thought and the relationships between magic, religion and science.

John Skorupski (Author)

9780521272520, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 3 March 1983

284 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.6 cm, 0.36 kg

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.

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.

Subject Areas: Philosophy [HP]