Rationality, Choice and the Religious Economy: The Problem of Belief
The concept of the religious economy has been one of the most useful contributions of rational choice theories to the sociology of religion. However, this study argues that religious belief presents a problem for rational choice theories, since it is difficult to see how one can freely choose what o...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Springer
2002
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| In: |
Review of religious research
Year: 2002, Volume: 43, Issue: 4, Pages: 311-325 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Parallel Edition: | Non-electronic
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| Summary: | The concept of the religious economy has been one of the most useful contributions of rational choice theories to the sociology of religion. However, this study argues that religious belief presents a problem for rational choice theories, since it is difficult to see how one can freely choose what one believes to be true in the sense that one can freely choose what consumer products one wishes to purchase. After examining the problem, the study suggests that it may be addressed by thinking of belief as a socially, collaboratively produced good. Given demand for a particular belief, potential religious consumers choose to involve themselves with those who are collectively producing it through interactions of faith. The involvement turns potential religious consumers into actual consumers by enabling them to participate in networks that establish beliefs as true. |
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| ISSN: | 2211-4866 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Review of religious research
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.2307/3512001 |