Outline and discuss the problems which anthropologists confront when trying to devise a universal definition of 'religion'

Many respected anthropologists have attempted to create a comprehensive definition of worship and eventually failed. This seems to be so because at that place are simply so umteen a nonher(prenominal) different practises all in all over the world, for severally one which have their consume function and each with their own meanings. Erickson notes that Tylor;Defines devotion simply as beliefs in transcendental beings. The indecision of what is magical immediately poses itself here, for does that not very on the horn in like every other form of knowledge ? is it not a good example that what is natural to us is fey to others? (Erickson: 197)This is an compositors case of an ethnocentric problem, of which we are bound to face when tackling the subject of religion in cultures we have not experienced years of familiarity with. Hendry elaborates by describing Edward Burnett Tylor?s position in the anthropological field, ?(he) was the first professor of social anthropolo gy at the University of Oxford? (Hendry: 116). Hendry similarly sees problems with Tylor?s definition and he asserts that, ?Buddhists, for example, are concerned with achieving a state beyond the ghostly? (Hendry: 116), therefore they do not believe in supernatural beings. Hendry also states that Tylor?s definition would ?include notions of magic and witchcraft, which many would object fall outside the area of ?religion? as such? (Hendry: 116). This is just one example of how difficult it is to reduce religion in universal terms, as even Tylor?s short, supposedly fail proof definition is left lacking. In the following essay, I will look at metaphysical approaches to religion, such as the functionalist and the intellectualist approaches, and examine how each conception succeeds or fails in devising a universal definition of religion. As we have already seen in the introduction, Tylor?s definition has been scrutinised and in conclusion doesn?t work, but it is interesting to look at his and... ! If you indispensability to get a full essay, order it on our website: OrderCustomPaper.com

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