Durkheim's sociology of religion: Themes and theories
- London Routledge and Kegan Paul 1984
- 577 p.
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.