Status and Sacredness: A General Theory of Status Relations and an Analysis of Indian CultureStatus and Sacredness provides a new theory of status and sacral relationships and a provocative reinterpretation of the Indian caste system and Hinduism. Milner shows how in India and many other social contexts status is a key resource, and that sacredness can be usefully understood as a special form of status. By analyzing the nature of this resource Milner is able to provide powerful explanations of the key features of the social structure, culture, and religion. He argues against the widely held view that the Indian caste system is best understood as a unique cultural development, demonstrating that many of the seemingly exotic features are variations on themes common to other societies. Milner's analysis is rooted in a new theoretical framework called "resource structuralism" that helps to clarify the nature and significance of power and symbolic capital. The book thus provides a bold new analysis of India, an innovative approach to the analysis of religion, and an important contribution to social theory. |
Comentarios de la gente - Escribir un comentario
LibraryThing Review
Crítica de los usuarios - thcson - LibraryThingA difficult but rewarding book on indian caste. The author nicely combines methodological and theoretical considerations with practical examples from indian sociology. Particularly his thesis that ... Leer comentario completo
Contenido
3 | |
18 | |
Key Elements | 29 |
What Is to Be Explained | 42 |
5 Explaining the Key Features of Caste | 53 |
6 The Social Categories of Traditional India | 63 |
Political and Economic Legitimacy | 80 |
Additional Elements | 97 |
12 On the Nature of Sacredness | 163 |
13 The Worship of Gods | 172 |
14 Salvation and Soteriology | 189 |
15 Eschatology | 204 |
16 Conclusions | 228 |
Glossary | 243 |
Notes | 257 |
Bibliography | 303 |
Otras ediciones - Ver todas
Status and Sacredness: A General Theory of Status Relations and an Analysis ... Murray Milner Vista previa limitada - 1994 |
Status and Sacredness: A General Theory of Status Relations and an Analysis ... Murray Milner Vista de fragmentos - 1994 |
Términos y frases comunes
accept actions activities actors agency analysis appropriate argument association attempt auspiciousness become behavior Brahmans capital caste central Chapter characteristic common complex concept concern conformity considered contingency contrast course create crucial cultural defined deity developed devotee discussion distinction dominant economic effect elaborate elements elites emphasize eschatology especially example exchange existence explain force gifts give groups Hindu Hinduism human ideas identity ideology implies important inauspiciousness India individual involves kings knowledge legitimacy less limited lower marriage material matter means mobility nature norms notion one's particular patterns person physical political pollution primarily processes produce purity rational choice theory refers relationships relatively religious respect ritual role sacred salvation seen sense significant social societies South specific status structure suggest symbolic tend theoretical theory things tradition transformation types usually variations various vary worldly worship
Pasajes populares
Página 181 - ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts are open, all £\. desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord.
Página 54 - The village communities are little republics, having nearly everything that they want within themselves, and almost independent of any foreign relations. They seem to last where nothing else lasts. Dynasty after dynasty tumbles down : revolution succeeds to revolution; Hindu, Pathan, Moghul, Mahratta, Sikh, English are masters in turn ; but the village communities remain the same...
Página 279 - I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Página 224 - In its extreme inhumanity this doctrine must above all have had one consequence for the life of a generation which surrendered to its magnificent consistency. That was a feeling of unprecedented inner loneliness of the single individual.
Página 3 - Men make their own history, but they do not make it just as they please; they do not make it under circumstances chosen by themselves, but under circumstances directly encountered, given and transmitted from the past.
Página 81 - An order which is adhered to from motives of pure expediency is generally much less stable than one upheld on a purely customary basis through the fact that the corresponding behaviour has become habitual. The latter is much the most common type of subjective attitude. But even this type of order is in turn much less stable than an order which enjoys the prestige of being considered binding, or. as it may be expressed, of "legitimacy.
Página 35 - In content, status honor is normally expressed by the fact that above all else a specific style of life can be expected from all those who wish to belong to the circle. Linked with this expectation are restrictions on 'social' intercourse (that is, intercourse which is not subservient to economic or any other of business's 'functional
Página 113 - Matter issuing from them is marginal stuff of the most obvious kind. Spittle, blood, milk, urine, faeces or tears by simply issuing forth have traversed the boundary of the body.
Página 181 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation; O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation: All ye who hear, Now to his temple draw near; Joining in glad adoration. Praise to the Lord...