Question

How are Malinowski’s and Radcliffe Brown’s functional theories on religion different from each other? 

Answer 1

According to Malinowski, religion performs a significant function in the economic lives of the tribes. When the Trobriand islanders go for fishing expeditions, religion provides them relief from stress. Thus, they consider religion as a means of adjustment which saves men from tensions. It helps in making man’s adjustment with the supernatural powers, which results in giving man mental peace and tranquility.

However, according to Radcliffe Brown, the objective of religion is not only to relieve tensions and fears but also to create a consciousness of dependence upon super-natural powers. He considers the existence of the group is more significant than that of the individual and hence, the individual has to make sacrifices for the group. An individual learns this sense of duty and sacrifices through religion. Thus, Radcliffe Brown considers that religion makes the individual dependent upon society and also teaches him to live according to social norms. Thus, religion helps in maintaining a social life and social order. Thus, Malinowski was a functionalist and Radcliffe Brown was a structural-functionalist in relation to their analysis of religion.