Virtuosity, Charisma and Social Order
A Comparative Sociological Study of Monasticism in Theravada Buddhism and Medieval Catholicism

Studies monasticism and society in Theravada Buddhism and Medieval Catholicism.

Ilana Friedrich Silber (Author)

9780521021371, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 20 October 2005

264 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.402 kg

"...Silber's analysis of the material raises new theoretical questions and suggests some cogent answers. ...well-worth attending to. An important contribution to comparative historical sociology." Choice

This book is a comparative macrosociological study of the interaction between religious virtuosi and society in two civilizations: traditional Theravada Buddhism and Medieval Catholicism. Merging Weberian sociology with the Maussian tradition of gift-analysis, and criticizing the neglect of meaning in current comparative historical sociology, the author also argues the need for a multidimensional approach capable of addressing the part played by religious orientations in shaping the institutional strength and ideological power of religious elites in the historical framework of the Great Traditions.

Part I. Virtuosi and Society: Elements of Macrosociological Approach: 1. The Weberian legacy
2. Monasticism and social order: a multidimensional perspective: Part II. Virtuosi asnd Society in Theravada Buddhism: 3. Ideological groundings: hierarchy and ritualized exchange
4. Virtuosity institutionalized
The Sangha in Social Context
5. Virtuoso radicalism: the triumph of a syndrome
Part III. Virtuosi and Society in Medieval Catholicism: 6. Ideological groundings: plurality and conditional exchange
7. Virtuosity institutionalized: monasticism in social context
8. Virtuoso radicalism: a self-defeating triumph
Part IV. Virtuosity, Charisma and Social Order: 9. Virtuosity and the virtuoso-society syndrome
10. The virtuoso syndrome in comparative historical perspective
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Religious groups: social & cultural aspects [JFSR]