Virtuosity, Charisma and Social Order
Virtuosity, Charisma and Social Order
This book is a comparative macrosociological study of the interaction between religious virtuosi and society in two civilizations: traditional Theravada Buddhism and Medieval Catholicism. Merging Weberian sociology with the Maussian tradition of gift-analysis, and criticizing the neglect of meaning in current comparative historical sociology, the author also argues the need for a multidimensional approach capable of addressing the part played by religious orientations in shaping the institutional strength and ideological power of religious elites in the historical framework of the Great Traditions.
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- Highly original comparative study of a topical subject
Reviews & endorsements
"...a learned analysis....Silber's book should quickly become a classic in comparative religious research and deserves a place on the syllabus of any graduate course in the field." Sociology of Religion
"...Silber's account is largely convincing, and her intention can only be applauded. The book will be essential reading for those interested in Weberian scholarship, especially for its conceptualization of religious virtuosity and its treatment of the "worldly facets of otherworldly religious orientations." For specialists in medieval Christianity and Theravada Buddhism the book offers an insightful and provocative interpretation of the literature. Moreover, sociologists of culture will find a stimulating empirical exploration of the issues involved in the relation between culture and structure." American Journal of Sociology
"...Silber's analysis of the material raises new theoretical questions and suggests some cogent answers. ...well-worth attending to. An important contribution to comparative historical sociology." Choice
Product details
October 2005Paperback
9780521021371
264 pages
229 × 152 × 16 mm
0.402kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Part I. Virtuosi and Society: Elements of Macrosociological Approach:
- 1. The Weberian legacy
- 2. Monasticism and social order: a multidimensional perspective: Part II. Virtuosi asnd Society in Theravada Buddhism:
- 3. Ideological groundings: hierarchy and ritualized exchange
- 4. Virtuosity institutionalized
- The Sangha in Social Context
- 5. Virtuoso radicalism: the triumph of a syndrome
- Part III. Virtuosi and Society in Medieval Catholicism:
- 6. Ideological groundings: plurality and conditional exchange
- 7. Virtuosity institutionalized: monasticism in social context
- 8. Virtuoso radicalism: a self-defeating triumph
- Part IV. Virtuosity, Charisma and Social Order:
- 9. Virtuosity and the virtuoso-society syndrome
- 10. The virtuoso syndrome in comparative historical perspective
- Conclusion.
