Virtuosity, Charisma and Social Order: A Comparative Sociological Study of Monasticism in Theravada Buddhism...

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Ilana Friedrich Silber Jeffrey C. Alexander

Virtuosity, Charisma and Social Order

A Comparative Sociological Study of Monasticism in Theravada Buddhism and Medieval Catholicism...

Ilana Friedrich Silber, Jeffrey C. Alexander, Steven Seidman

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English

Cambridge University Press
20 October 2005

Religious communities & monasticism

Series: Cambridge Cultural Social Studies

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.

By: Ilana Friedrich Silber
Series edited by: Jeffrey C. Alexander, Steven Seidman
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 16mm
Weight: 402g
ISBN: 9780521021371
ISBN 10: 0521021375
Series: Cambridge Cultural Social Studies
Pages: 264
Publication Date: 20 October 2005
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

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.

Reviews for Virtuosity, Charisma and Social Order: A Comparative Sociological Study of Monasticism in Theravada Buddhism and Medieval Catholicism

...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