Who among the following divided religion into sacred and profane?

The correct answer is - Emile Durkheim

Key Points

• Emile Durkheim
  • Durkheim was a French sociologist who is widely considered as one of the founding figures of sociology.
  • In his work, Durkheim differentiated between the sacred and the profane in religion.
    • Sacred refers to things that are set apart, extraordinary, and deserving of reverence.
    • Profane refers to things that are ordinary, mundane, and not sacred.
  • Durkheim’s distinction is central to his analysis of religion in his book "The Elementary Forms of Religious Life".

Additional Information

• Totemism
  • Durkheim studied Australian aboriginal totemism as an elementary form of religion.
  • He argued that totemism was the most basic and ancient form of religion, which emphasized the collective consciousness and social cohesion.
• Collective Effervescence
  • Durkheim introduced the concept of collective effervescence to describe the energy and harmony people feel when they come together in a group to perform religious rituals.
• Functionalism
  • Durkheim is also known for his functionalist perspective, which examines the social functions of institutions and practices.
  • He argued that religion serves several important functions in society, including promoting social cohesion and providing meaning and purpose.