'Ideology', 'meaning', and 'myth': Marx, Weber, and Durkheim on
the three dimensions of sacred symbolism and their uses in
society Date of Award Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Symbolism, Karl
Marx, Max Weber, Emile Durkheim, Religion Religion | Sociology
The works of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim in the area of religion
are put in a new light as well as the relationship between these
respective theories. It is argued that each of the classical
writers emphasizes a different type of sacred beliefs. Marx
focuses primarily on the symbolism that depicts the relations
between hierarchical groups that make up the societal realm.
This particular dimension of sacred symbolism that 'frames' the
design of macro society is referred to here as 'ideology'.
Weber, in turn, stresses in his analyses the dimension of
'meaning' in religion: beliefs that address primarily the
problems of individual existence, such as the promises of
salvation, for example. These beliefs offer an explanation as to
what is the purpose of life and thus th