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Clifford Geertz approach to understand culture and religion upsc ugcnet

 Clifford Geertz was an outstanding anthropologist noted 


 

for his

 

 interpretative approach to the study of culture and religion.


Geertz's religious theory highlights the significance of symbols and how they are

 

 interpreted in religious activities and beliefs. 
He contended that religion is more

 

 than just set of ideas and rituals, but rather symbolic system that gives meaning and structure to human experience.









Religion, according to Geertz, is cultural system that fosters common worldview among its believers, and symbols play an important part in this process. 
Religion, he saw, was technique of understanding and making sense of the world, not just collection of supernatural beliefs.

Geertz's method to religion research is known as symbolic anthropology, and it has had substantial influence on the area. 
His work has aided in shifting the focus of religious studies away from solely theological viewpoint and towards one that considers the cultural and social components of religious practises and beliefs.

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