Which book of Durkheim is devoted to a close and careful analysis of primitive religion?

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Correct option is B

The Elementary Forms of Religious Life

Émile Durkheim in his landmark work, The Elementary Forms of Religious Life (1912), conducted a detailed analysis of primitive religion. He explored how religious beliefs and practices function as essential social forces that serve to bind societies together. Durkheim argued that religion is not just a set of beliefs about gods or supernatural forces but also a system of collective practices that promote social cohesion and solidarity.

In this work, Durkheim focuses on totemism among Aboriginal tribes in Australia as an example of the most basic form of religion. He uses this to argue that religion is a reflection of society, where religious symbols, rituals, and beliefs are a projection of collective social realities. Durkheim's work is foundational in sociology, as it emphasizes the role of social cohesion and how religious beliefs shape the moral framework of societies.

Information Booster:

1. Totemism as a Religious Form – Durkheim focused on totemism, where groups of people venerate a symbol (often an animal or plant) that represents the collective identity of the group.
2. Religion and Society – Durkheim argued that religion is a social phenomenon and plays a central role in the formation of social cohesion and group solidarity.
3. The Role of Rituals – Rituals, according to Durkheim, help strengthen social ties, creating a sense of collective effervescence among individuals, fostering unity and a shared sense of identity.
4. Sacred vs. Profane – Durkheim's theory also includes the idea of sacred and profane; the sacred encompasses things that are considered holy, while the profane includes the everyday, mundane aspects of life.
5. Collective Consciousness – Durkheim emphasized that religion contributes to the collective consciousness, which is the set of shared beliefs and values that unify a group or society.
6. Functionalism – Durkheim's study laid the groundwork for functionalism in sociology, which sees society as a complex system where institutions and practices work together to maintain stability and cohesion.

Additional Knowledge:

• Moral Education – This book (1902) explores the role of education in the development of moral and social values, but it does not focus on the analysis of primitive religion.
• Suicide – Durkheim's Suicide (1897) is a pioneering study in sociology that explores the social causes of suicide, examining how societal factors influence individual behavior. It does not address primitive religion.
• The Division of Labour in Society – In this 1893 work, Durkheim examines how the division of labor in society contributes to social cohesion and solidarity. While it deals with societal structures, it does not delve into primitive religion specifically.