Religion and rational choice theory1

Michael Hechter

doi:10.4324/9781315538877-18

Religion and rational choice theory¹

Michael Hechter

Politics and Global Studies, School of (SPGS)

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Most (but not all) classical sociologists not only regarded religion as irrational; they also considered it to be an emergent rather than an individual phenomenon. Sacredness, that quintessentially distinctive reHgious attitude, could not be attributed to an individual’s preference for a specific good, but necessarily referred to a socially constructed source of sanctity (Parsons, 1937: 711). Parsons’ claim carried with it the notion, unpalatable to many contemporary sociologists, that religion is a subject that is unsuitable for any kind of positive analysis.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	Rational Choice Theory and Religion
Subtitle of host publication	Summary and Assessment
Publisher	Taylor and Francis
Pages	147-159
Number of pages	13
ISBN (Electronic)	9781134953424
ISBN (Print)	9780415911917
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315538877-18
State	Published - Jan 1 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Social Sciences

Access to Document

10.4324/9781315538877-18

Cite this

@inbook{7799b59f2fca45aab833c8abfe9958b1,

title = "Religion and rational choice theory1",

abstract = "Most (but not all) classical sociologists not only regarded religion as irrational; they also considered it to be an emergent rather than an individual phenomenon. Sacredness, that quintessentially distinctive reHgious attitude, could not be attributed to an individual{\textquoteright}s preference for a specific good, but necessarily referred to a socially constructed source of sanctity (Parsons, 1937: 711). Parsons{\textquoteright} claim carried with it the notion, unpalatable to many contemporary sociologists, that religion is a subject that is unsuitable for any kind of positive analysis.",

author = "Michael Hechter",

year = "2016",

month = jan,

day = "1",

doi = "10.4324/9781315538877-18",

language = "English (US)",

isbn = "9780415911917",

pages = "147--159",

booktitle = "Rational Choice Theory and Religion",

publisher = "Taylor and Francis",

}

TY - CHAP

T1 - Religion and rational choice theory1

AU - Hechter, Michael

PY - 2016/1/1

Y1 - 2016/1/1

N2 - Most (but not all) classical sociologists not only regarded religion as irrational; they also considered it to be an emergent rather than an individual phenomenon. Sacredness, that quintessentially distinctive reHgious attitude, could not be attributed to an individual’s preference for a specific good, but necessarily referred to a socially constructed source of sanctity (Parsons, 1937: 711). Parsons’ claim carried with it the notion, unpalatable to many contemporary sociologists, that religion is a subject that is unsuitable for any kind of positive analysis.

AB - Most (but not all) classical sociologists not only regarded religion as irrational; they also considered it to be an emergent rather than an individual phenomenon. Sacredness, that quintessentially distinctive reHgious attitude, could not be attributed to an individual’s preference for a specific good, but necessarily referred to a socially constructed source of sanctity (Parsons, 1937: 711). Parsons’ claim carried with it the notion, unpalatable to many contemporary sociologists, that religion is a subject that is unsuitable for any kind of positive analysis.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85070621423

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85070621423#tab=citedBy

U2 - 10.4324/9781315538877-18

DO - 10.4324/9781315538877-18

M3 - Chapter

SN - 9780415911917

SP - 147

EP - 159

BT - Rational Choice Theory and Religion

PB - Taylor and Francis

ER -

Religion and rational choice theory¹

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this