The essay will critically analyse theoretical accounts of society, in particular how useful they are in understanding how death is viewed socially in the West. It will be argued that all different theoretical models of society can be useful, but that the model ‘society as an organism’, which emphasises symbolic interactionism, is often more useful than structural functionalism on its own. My analysis will start with a look a critique of structural functionalism, using Durkheim’s analysis of suicide (1953) as an example. I then look at ‘society as an organism’ in the thought of Rousseau (1913), before turning to consider these models specifically in relation to the problem of death. I discuss our Western fear of death, and suggest, drawing on Eagleton (2003), that any solution must involve facing this fear on a social level. There are sociological theories in which society is conceived of as a total structure made of functioning parts: this is structural functionalism. Rigney (2001: 17) describes structural functionalism as follows: “society is a system of independent parts working together to produce a vital functioning whole”. For example, as there are many roles played in society, good and bad, it can be likened to a theatre, in which our life is one big stage with many different parts being and acted out (Goffman, 1969). Yet it could be argued that this approach is too simplistic because it does not take into account when people and events go outside the norms and values of society, for example in crime and disorder. In short, we might say structural functionalism cannot explain where structure is ‘dysfunctional’. It may highlight dysfunction and disorder, but it does not easily account for them. To make an example of this, ... ... middle of paper ... ... Works Cited Curl, J. S. (1993) A Celebration of Death, London : Batsford. Durkheim, E., ‘Introduction’, (1952) Suicide: A Study in Sociology. London: Routledge and Kegan Eagleton, T, ‘Death, Evil and Non-Being’, After Theory (2003), London: Penguin, pp.208-222 Goffman, E. (1996). The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. London: Allen lane. Honneth, A, Disrespect: the normative foundations of critical theory (2007), Polity Press (Trans.), London: Malden MA: Polity Press. Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 'Discourses on the Arts and Sciences' [1750], in The Social Contract and Discourses (1993), Trans. G.D.H. Cole, London: Everyman. Miller, A, The Theatre Essays of Authur Miller (1978), Martin, Robert A (Ed.), London: NY: Viking Press. Romanoff B. D.; Terenzio M (1998). Death Studies, Volume 22, Number 8, , pp. 697-711(15) RITUALS AND THE GRIEVING PROCESS
In the essay “On the Fear of Death” Elisabeth Kubler-Ross focuses on dying and the effects it has on children as well as those who are dying, while in Jessica Mitford’s “Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain” focuses more on the after fact when the deceased is being prepared of their last appearance. Both authors, point out that the current attitude toward death is to simply cover it up. A successful funeral is when the deceased looks “Lyf Lyk” in Mitford’s Essay, but in Kubler-Ross’ it is dying at a peace with oneself, no IVs attached. Both authors feel that the current views of death is dehumanizing. Mitford points this out with the allusion that the funeral parlors are a theatrical play, while Kubler-Ross comments “I think there are many reasons
Macey, David. “Postmodernity.” The Penguin Dictionary of Critical Theory. London: Penguin Books, 2001. 307-309. Print.
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"Taboos and Social Stigma - Rituals, Body, Life, History, Time, Person, Human, Traditional Views of Death Give Way to New Perceptions." Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Web. 31 Jan. 2011. .
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The concept of human mortality and how it is dealt with is dependent upon one’s society or culture. For it is the society that has great impact on the individual’s beliefs. Hence, it is also possible for other cultures to influence the people of a different culture on such comprehensions. The primary and traditional way men and women have made dying a less depressing and disturbing idea is though religion. Various religions offer the comforting conception of death as a begining for another life or perhaps a continuation for the former.
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The structural-functionalist perspective looks at society as a complex system composed of various parts much like a living organism. Each aspect of society contributes to society's functioning as a whole. Social institutions play a key role in keeping a society stable. All societies need certain things to survive (Newman 2010).
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