What is the master-slave relation and how, according to Nietzsche does the slave achieve power over the master?
According to Nietzsche, the master-slave relation is determined by master-morality and slave-morality. These notions have its origin in the ruling caste as the subordinates were consciously different from the one that ruled. It is the ruler, the master who decides what is good, and displays contempt towards the weak. It refers to the “warrior caste”. Here, antithesis of “good” and “evil”, “noble” and despicable” is created. Those who are ruled are “distrustful” and deserve to be abused. On the other hand, slave-morality claims that it is a different form of power structure, in which the privileged section fails to maintain their position because they do not have the physical strength to sustain it. They are the ones that are “oppressed” and the “sufferers”. Slave-morality believes that the one who is evil arouses fear, while masters claim that those who are good and superior have the power to arouse fear. Though Nietzsche showed reluctance towards “democracy, equality and utilitarianism”, but, he does acknowledge that, with the slow but steady rise of a democratic social order, slave-morality gradually gained supremacy. Masters and slaves blend together, and the slave: the vain person rejoices every good opinion from the masters and seduces the idea of being “noble” to others. Through this, masters become dependent upon the slaves, who gain power over the former, gradually.
What, according to Weber, is the difference between a church and a sect?
According to Weber, the difference between a church and a sect is based upon how religious practices flourished during the modernization of Europe and America. A sect is an American form of secularization, and is a form of commitment adopted by nonreligious groups. On the other hand, European secularization is characterized by the church. A sect-like religion is not traditional and rose to prominence during the period of Reformation. Protestant sects influenced radical idealism that encouraged individualism, democracy and flexibility. A church and a sect display contrasting forms of modern social organization that was established by cultural codes of religious life.
What was novel about Luther’s doctrine of the calling and how did Calvin’s doctrine differ and why was the difference important?
Luther’s doctrine of calling- Beruf explains that every individual is called upon by the Almighty to fulfill their responsibilities in the world. Luther’s rejection of the church dominant hierarchy and support for the priesthood of all believers made it a significant and novel move. He focused upon serving God daily.
Calvin, also a reformer, differed from Luther in his approach and mindset towards Christianity. He disagreed from Luther’s doctrine of calling and stated that, no individual can earn salvation through his actions. It is predestined and up to God to grant salvation. Next, Calvin refused to believe that the state should be supreme to the church. Government shouldn’t have the authority to enforce laws of religion. Lastly, Luther believed that Christ was physically present during communion, while Calvin believed in Christ’s spiritual presence. These differences created varied social structures and orders that affected socio-political aspects.
What was Samuel Huntington’s theory of the “clash of civilizations” and what part did religion play in it?
Owing to the diversity in history, religion, language, culture and tradition; people from different civilization displays various approaches towards mankind and God. These differences among civilizations are gradually turning violent, as the world is becoming a smaller place. Owing to increasing interaction among people of different civilizations, it is making them civilization-conscious. This instigates animosities and creates conflict. Religion movements in the form of fundamentalism are prevalent in Western Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism and to some extent in Islam. These movements fill in the gap brought about by economic modernization and social change globally, in which people are getting separated from their local identities. Fundamentalist movements mostly involve the youth and form the base of identity and commitment that goes beyond national boundaries and unites civilizations.
Describe Henri Pirenne’s thesis of the impact of Islam on Christianity and why did he hold that “Without Muhammad there would have been no Charlemagne”.
According to Pirenne’s thesis, establishment of Europe as a cultural continent was made possible after physical assault of Islam. Existence of Islam as a cultural continent led to the birth of Christian Europe. Until the late seventh century, Europe didn’t have a discrete cultural identity. Hence, Pirenne specifically pointed out that, "Without Islam, the Frankish Empire would have probably never existed, and Charlemagne, without Muhammad, would be inconceivable.” After the Christians in Rome lost North Africa, Egypt, Syria, and the Iberian Peninsula to Islam, the ruler of Constantinople failed to protect the Christian population in Rome. Post-failure to the Islamic world, the Romanian popes started moving to the Franks for shelter and safety. Consequently, Charlemagne was chosen the Emperor on Christmas day. This led to the formation of religious and cultural identity of Christians in the Western world.
What is the importance of cultural fault lines in Huntington?
Cultural fault lines once again refer to the theory of clash of civilization. Huntington stated that the greatest division among the human population is cultural. It dominates and influences global affairs. These fault lines among different cultures can be the future lines of war. Its importance is that it creates culturally conscious people who identify themselves with one’s own culture. With globalization and glocalization becoming the norms in contemporary times, these cultural fault lines can help preserve cultural identity without overindulgence in another civilization. However, other scholars believe that the actual cultural fault lines are the ones that demarcate the Western world and Islam and are based on sex that determines issues about divorce, gay rights, or abortion.
What are a cognitive monopoly and a cognitive frontier and why did religious communities attempt to create cognitive monopolies.
A cognitive monopoly is a common genesis in market services and religious groups are often compared to this concept. It is an attempt to create a perfect situation and religious groups strives for complete control over societies by creating religious monopolies. This is in contrast to creation of a “free-market” that aims toward encouraging greater participation in all religion. But, in a protected market, religious monopolies represent lazy traits and satisfaction with their control of the market. Their success is established by their polity and doctrines. Churches in Western Europe represent religious monopolies. A cognitive frontier between Islam and Christianity desperately tries to find each other in fault. Sociologists pointed out that military frontier become a cognitive frontier. Through a cognitive monopoly, religious groups try to exert influence and gain power in rest of the world. It refers to expansion of religious dominance.
What are dhimmis and what function do they have in societies such as Islam that have successfully maintained a cognitive monopoly.
In Islam, dhimmis refer to the mortifying state of subordination and segregation. But in theory, dhimmis could be protected from slavery and exile in return of a covenant. Historically, dhimmis in Islam defeated the Arab minority by adopting oppressive political behaviors. Dhimmis base themselves on specific religious values and create common ground for geo-political events. Dhimmis represent religious intolerance and wages holy war by conquering foreign lands.
