A Review of Ulrich Beck’s Legacy for Sociology and Sociology of Religion

Year 2024, , 32 - 53, 31.05.2024

Muhammed Babacan

https://doi.org/10.33931/dergiabant.1453561

Abstract

Ulrich Beck (1944-2015) was one of the most influential sociologists of contemporary social thought. His theories of risk society, reflexive modernization, individualization, and cosmopolitanism stand out among his contributions to contemporary sociology. While Beck's contribution to sociology is extensive, his impact on sociology of religion is not as comprehensive. Despite this, his wide theoretical framework within sociology, particularly highlighted in his later work A God of One’s Own, significantly contributes to understanding the role of religion in contemporary society. The purpose of this article is to assess Beck's academic legacy in two parts: (1) his legacy of sociology and (2) his legacy of sociology of religion. Beck's discussions in the context of concepts such as risk society, reflexive modernity, individualization, class, and cosmopolitanism effectively aid in our comprehension of contemporary social dynamics and the challenges posed by scientific, technological, and political understandings. In contrast to secularization theories that suggest the insignificance of religion in modern societies, Beck defines secularization as a reflexive process where individuals critically question and evaluate their religious beliefs and practices within the context of modernity. His discussions, which deeply scrutinize the perception of religion in modern society and emphasize the relationship between religious cosmopolitanism and individualization, provide a valuable framework for understanding how religion has changed on both societal and individual levels. It is also noteworthy that Beck features individuals like Etty Hillesum, who developed a unique belief in God in contrast to the universal understanding of religion that considers humanity as a whole and the presence of religious belief in the public sphere.

Keywords

Sociology of Religion, Risk Society, Reflexive Modernity, Cosmopolitanism, Reflexive Secularization

Ulrich Beck'in Sosyoloji ve Din Sosyolojisi Mirası Üzerine Bir Değerlendirme

Abstract

Ulrich Beck (1944-2015), çağdaş toplumsal düşüncenin en etkili sosyologlarından biriydi. Onun risk toplumu, refleksif modernleşme, bireyselleşme ve kozmopolitanizm teorileri; çağdaş sosyolojiye yapmış olduğu katkıların başında gelir. Beck’in din sosyolojisine katkısı ise sosyoloji kadar kapsamlı değildir. Buna rağmen sosyoloji mirasının geniş teorik çerçevesi ve özellikle son dönemlerinde ele aldığı A God of One’s Own adlı kitabı, dinin çağdaş toplumdaki rolünün anlaşılmasında önemli katkılar sağlamaktadır. Bu makalenin amacı, Beck’in bu akademik mirasını iki kısımda değerlendirmektir: (1) Sosyoloji mirası (2) Din sosyolojisi mirası. Beck’in risk toplumu, refleksif modernite, bireyselleşme, sınıf ve kozmopolitanizm gibi kavramlar bağlamında ortaya koyduğu tartışmalar; çağdaş sosyal dinamikleri ve bilimsel, teknolojik ve politik anlayışların oluşturduğu zorlukları kavramamızda etkili olmaktadır. Öte yandan, modern toplumlarda dinin önemsiz olduğunu ileri süren sekülerleşme teorilerinin aksine Beck, sekülerleşmeyi bireylerin modernlik bağlamında dini inançlarını ve uygulamalarını sorguladıkları ve değerlendirdikleri refleksif bir süreç olarak tanımlayarak farklı bir yaklaşım ortaya koymuştur. Onun modern toplumun din algısını derinlemesine sorgulayan ve dinsel kozmopolitanizm ile bireyselleşme arasındaki ilişkiyi vurgulayan tartışmaları, dinin toplumsal ve bireysel düzeyde nasıl değiştiğini anlamak için değerli bir çerçeve sunmaktadır. Ayrıca, insanlığı bir bütün olarak ele alan evrensel din anlayışının ve dini inancın kamusal alandaki varlığının karşısına kendine özgü bir Tanrı inancı geliştiren Etty Hillesum gibi bireyleri koyması oldukça dikkat çekicidir.

Keywords

Din Sosyolojisi, Risk Toplumu, Refleksif Modernite, Kozmopolitanizm, Refleksif Sekülerleşme

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