Original scientific paper
EVOLUTION OF RELIGION IN LUHMANN’S THEORY OF SYSTEMS
Ivan Markešić
; LZ "M.Krleža", Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
According to Luhmann, religion transforms the indefinable/un-defined into the definable/defined complexity, thus outlining the problems of the whole society. Due to this function, religion remains bound to the level of the entirety of a social system. Nevertheless, in time, in the course of the functional differentiation of society, different sub-systems have been created for different tasks (economy, science, politics, education, etc.) and religion has been accorded the status of one such system. Besides distinguishing among various subsystems, this process implies the separation of diverse task-areas within the religious system itself. By and by, within the Christian religion, three functionally differentiated spheres have emerged which Luhmann labels as a) the church, i.e. the entirety of spiritual communication in which the function of the system of religion is fulfilled for the whole social system; b) Diaconate (Diakonie), which performs the system’s tasks towards other social sub-systems (these tasks, in line with the theory of systems, may be termed services — Leistungen) as well as towards personal systems (in line with the theory of systems they may be termed pastoral — Seelsorge); and c) theology (Theologie) whose role within the religious system may be described as reflexion (Reflexion) i.e. the task of the reflexive contact of one’s own identity.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
32333
URI
Publication date:
3.9.1998.
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