SYSTEMIC CHARACTER OF THE FUNCTIONS OF RELIGION

Abstract

The relevance of the article is due to the need to systematize the functions of religion in society, since different authors offer different sets of these functions, each of which individually can be adequate to the particular objectives of the study. In accordance with this, the goal is to interpret the functions of religion as a response to the system’s request for the need to form human thinking and society as a whole. As a paradigm, the well-known Kantian position was chosen, which emphasizes the duality of the rational and moral systems of reference in religion, or, in other words, the synthesis of the cognitive and normative aspects. In accordance with these criteria, an analysis of the works of researchers of social processes at the early stages of the development of human societies is carried out. According to the proposed concept, the functions of religion can be divided into two complementary groups - cognitive and regulatory. The first will include the epistemological and symbolization function, the second - axiological, normative, consolidating-demarcation and legitimizing. They are defined as basic, of which the implicitly contained in them worldview, compensatory, motivational, etc. As a result, it is concluded that religion is a systemic integrity, it becomes more complex as the human community develops, its new functions appear (new ones are always only additional, including old ones), which are differentiated and institutionalized as the tasks solved by the cultural system become more complex.