Questions for Clifford Geertz’, “Religon as a Cultural System”

1. How does Geertz define culture? Worldview? Ethos? (89)

2. Think of a symbol, religious or otherwise. How does is act in the way Geertz describes as a “model of” and a “model for” reality? (93-94)

3. What does Geertz mean by moods and motivations? How do religious symbols trigger them? (96-97)

4. What do people mean when they say, “everything happens for a reason?” How does this connect with Geertz’ notion of “general order of existence,” especially when he talks about the problem of suffering? (98-99, 104) How does this help people find meaning?

5. What is the difference between the “religious” perspective and the “scientific” perspective? (110-111)

6. What role does religious ritual perform in bringing the symbols, worldview, and ethos of a religious perspective together? (112-113)

7. Geertz contends that religion is sociologically interesting not because it describes the social order, but because it shapes it (119). What does he mean?

8. What part(s) of Geertz’ definition of religion do you find most confusing? Why?