Of the three theorists, Marx appears to include the most negative elements in his considerations of religion. It must also be noted however that Marx places more focus on elements other than religion, whereas the other two theorists study religion in itself as it connects with society and its needs. Marx instead viewed religion as one of the elements that could be detrimental in effecting social change when necessary. Durkheim in turn places greater emphasis on the spiritual and esoteric quality of religion than the others, but nevertheless also places it within the context of a society that creates their gods as reflections of themselves. Weber is the most practical of the three in applying practical social needs to the provisions of religion and its leaders.
Quality of Life: Alienation, Rationalization and Anomie
While contemplating religion and its interaction with and effect upon society, the three authors also considered the quality of life for individuals within society. Specifically in this regard, Marx place emphasis upon alienation, Weber on rationalization, and Durkheim on Anomie.
Marx blames capitalism for the phenomenon of alienation, and he does so in four specific respects: the product of labor, the labor process, other human beings, and human nature. According to Marx, the above-mentioned system of labor division has brought about levels of alienation unsurpassed in human history up to that point. In addition to being socially separated from others, human beings are also separated from themselves and from the work they produce.
In terms of labor, according to Marx, workers are alienated from the product of their labor: products are purchased and owned by others, while the worker cannot use this for his or her own further well-being. The product provides money for the employer, who pays only part of the income to the employee, hence further widening the gap between the worker and the product. This directly leads to a lack of control over the production process, which is the second element in the alienation phenomenon as seen by Marx. Employers control the conditions and requirements of the labor process: the physical and mental effects of work are therefore beyond the control of the employee.
In terms of other human beings, Marx takes a much more negative view of this level of alienation than does Durkheim, as seen above. For Marx, social alienation is the result of the social class structure, where the employee is alienated from the employer that exploits the labor and products the former produces. The employee, in being separated from all pleasure connected to the products, is also alienated from those who are in a position to enjoy the direct result of the product in terms of both income and use. Finally, the coerced, forced labor dictated by the capitalist system also alienates the worker from his or her ability to shape the world in a way that provides direct pleasure. This is a fundamental human ability, which is removed by the system under scrutiny. The pleasure produced belongs to those purchasing the product and those making a profit from it.
Marx therefore concludes that the alienation brought about by capitalism is beneficial only for the exploiter - for those in power who seek to continue oppressing workers for their own benefit.
Weber's reality entails a more esoteric viewpoint brought about by his focus on the study of religion and its effects upon society. For this theorist, the main issue faced by modern society is rationalization...
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