Practice Theory and its Relation to the Orgins of Religion

In the second reading of “The Nature of Paleolithic Art,” David Guthrie alludes to, but does not explicitly state, that religion may have evolved from what is known now in anthropology as the practice theory. The Practice theory “recognizes that individuals within a society or culture have diverse motives and intentions and different degrees of power and influence.” (Kottak 48) It specifically focuses on how “varied individuals-through their ordinary and extraordinary actions manage to influence, create and transform the world they live in.” Guthrie mentions a specific instance that made me think immediately of the practice theory.

After the Paleolithic-Holocene shift, “tribes were associated with more abstract power that was overtly and unequally distributed according to strength, resources and birth.” (Guthrie 420) Unlike the previous hunting clans, tribes developed a social hierarchy, and hence certain individuals in society were able to influence and alter cultural norms (especially the upper class) Guthrie notes how, “The successes of the tribal program freed the upper classes from daily labor and removed them from the vicissitudes of life. The upper echelon of society “was allowed to expand their mythology and the rhythms of their art.” (431) Unlike Paleolithic art, which was practiced by almost all members of society, post-Paleolithic art was practiced only by a select few. Just as social structures started to become prevalent in tribal culture, art forms transformed. Shamen’s began to “inflate” the feats of their ancestors, and the switch from natural to supernatural art seemed to reflect their interest in worlds other than their own. As a whole, religion was quite possibly a result of the higher social classes attempting to influence and transform their society.

I believe the upper class (which seemingly held the greatest influence) had the intention of using religion as a tool to harness social power. Social power, which was a new concept (because hunting tribes were mainly composed of equal or no social classes), may have been extremely desirable for those who understood its value. Though Guthrie never directly supports this claim, I believe that the primary seeds of religion sprouted from what we now call the practice theory.