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Abstract

This article examines Clifford Geertz’s theories based on his own definition and methods in analyzing religion as a cultural system. The article focuses on Geertz’s interpretivist approach and his way of interpreting culture. The research also analyzes how Geertz approaches religion and interrelates religion and social life. The importance of Geertz’s ideas and methodology and its failures in interpreting religion is outlined in the article, though it reaches the conclusion that Geertz presents a well-established and dynamic method in understanding religious phenomena

Keywords

• Religion, Culture, Symbol, Clifford Geertz, Interpretive Approach

ClIfford Geertz’e Göre Kültürel Bir Sistem Olarak Din Religion as a Cultural System by Clifford Geertz

Öz

ÖZET
Bu makale Clifford Geertz’in, dini kültürel bir sistem olarak incelemek üzere geliştirdiği
kendi tanım ve metotlarına dayanan görüşlerini ele almaktadır. Makale Geertz’in
yorumlayıcı yaklaşımını ve kültürü yorumlama yöntemi üzerine yoğunlaşmaktadır.
Çalışma aynı zamanda Geertz’in dine nasıl yaklaştığını ve dinle toplumsal hayatı nasıl
ilişkilendirdiğini incelemektedir. Makalede Geertz’in düşüncelerinin ve metodolojisinin
önemi ve dini yorumlamada başarısız olduğu noktalar da genel hatlarıyla belirtilmektedir.
Sonuç olarak Geertz’in din fenomenini anlamak için dinamik bir metot sunduğu ifade
edilmektedir.

ABSTRA CT
This article examines Clifford Geertz’s theories based on his own definition and
methods in analyzing religion as a cultural system. The article focuses on Geertz’s
interpretivist approach and his way of interpreting culture. The research also analyzes
how Geertz approaches religion and interrelates religion and social life. The importance
of Geertz’s ideas and methodology and its failures in interpreting religion is outlined in
the article, though it reaches the conclusion that Geertz presents a well-established and
dynamic method in understanding religious phenomena.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Din, Kültür, Sembol, Clifford Geertz, Yorumlayıcı Yaklaşım

Kaynakça

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3. Barnard Alan, ve Spencer, Jonathan, “Culture”, Encyclopedia of Social and Cultural Anthropology, New York: Routledge 1996
4. Geertz Clifford, “Ethos, World View, and the Analysis of Sacred Symbols” The Interpretation of Culture içinde, New York: Basic Books, 1973
5. Geertz Clifford, “Notes on the Balinese Cockfight”, The Interpretation of Cultures içinde, New York: Basic Books, 1973
6. Geertz Clifford, “The Impact of the Concept of Culture on the Concept of Man”, The Interpretation of Cultures içinde, New York: Basic Books, 1973
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