Durkheim's sociology of religion: Themes and theories

Durkheim's Sociology of Religion Themes and Theories
Emile Durkheim's greatest and last book, The Elementary Forms of the Religious
Life, was published in 1912. It has become a classic, but although it is very frequently
referred to, it has received little systematic treatment. Dr Pickering's aim in this book
is not only to present an analysis of a large part of 7he Elementary Form1s but also to
help the reader to come to terms with Durkheimian thought about religion in
general.
To study Durkheim's analysis of religion means examining the total corpus of his
work and realizing that religion is central to his theory of society. Also, in
paradoxical fashion, Durkheim attempted to explain religious phenomena by
associating them with social phenomena. His work laid most of the foundations of
the sociology of religion, which at a theoretical level has not developed much
since his day. Daring and brilliant though a great deal of his analysis was, it has
continually been the subject of debate because of its bold claims and questionable
premises. Dr Pickering is concerned to state precisely Durkheim's position, the
development of his ideas, and to assess criticism past and present. He also
comments on Durkheim's 'religious' quest fulfilled in secular terms and on his attitude
towards secularization and the Christian churches.