Abstract
Most (but not all) classical sociologists not only regarded religion as irrational; they also considered it to be an emergent rather than an individual phenomenon. Sacredness, that quintessentially distinctive reHgious attitude, could not be attributed to an individual’s preference for a specific good, but necessarily referred to a socially constructed source of sanctity (Parsons, 1937: 711). Parsons’ claim carried with it the notion, unpalatable to many contemporary sociologists, that religion is a subject that is unsuitable for any kind of positive analysis.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Rational Choice Theory and Religion |
| Subtitle of host publication | Summary and Assessment |
| Publisher | Taylor and Francis |
| Pages | 147-159 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781134953424 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780415911917 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2016 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Social Sciences