The Definition of Religion Can Be Academically Useful

Many different religious scholars and theorists use some kind of a prehistoric humanity as proof or evidence their works. The primitive is such a central concern for them because of the lack of evidence of prehistoric civilizations. Thus making the prehistoric societies easy models to help prove their beliefs and understandings on religion. In addition to this, another reason as to why prehistoric humanity was so important to religious philosophers was because early theorist did not have the field or study of religion. Early theorists where classified as anthropologists and sociologists in most cases; and thus tended to bring in parts of their study into religion. Anthropologists study prehistoric civilizations, they were very comfortable with that subject, which is why they used it to prove points in their religious models. For example early social anthropologist E.B. Taylor used a concept called â€Å"The savage philosopher† as his form of primitive life. When the savage phi losopher wakes up and he has no idea between being asleep and being awake, he was unaware of what a dream was. However the savage philosopher was quite interested in his environment and the anomalies present in it. However without any form of scientific methods the philosopher could not make sense of the anomalies in his environment. Therefore, the pre-human has to come to a conclusion for the oddity of seeing himself elsewhere and seeing spirits of his dead ancestors. (All occurring in a dream) Thus theShow MoreRelatedCan a Definition of Religion Be Academically Useful? 630 Words   |  3 PagesA definition of Religion is and can be academically useful. It’s the same as with science as it is with religion, the ability to have a definition, creates academic validity for the subject. One has the ability to point to a certain section or a topic of a book and then support themselves with a fundamental definition. Now the problem that arises in religious studies is that the defi nition is not always accurate or consistent. Many different academic scholars and writers have their own beliefs andRead MoreSimilarities In The Opposition. Ideas Do Not Prove Their909 Words   |  4 PagesCraig Martin and anthropologist Clifford Geertz approach analyzing religion with opposing views. Martin dismisses definitions of religion claiming that no definition can encompass the practical use of the word and instead provides a step by step approach to explaining beliefs and actions in the perspective of a methodological atheist. Geertz, however, provides a working definition broken into a five-part model to make it a useful tool. Upon further analysis of these two methods, the once contradictingRead More Ethics and Education Essay925 Words   |  4 Pages as the discipline dealing with what is good and what is bad. Morals are defined, in the same dictionary, as those principles of right and wrong in behavior. 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