Knowledge, as defined by the Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary is the "acquaintance with facts, truths or principles. " When using this definition to determine a Marxian and Durkheimian theory of knowledge, one must break it down into it's three themes and analyze them separately. Durkheim deems religion indispensable for the procurement of knowledge and sees religion as essential to the function of society. Marx argues that knowledge is restricted by religion, and religion oppresses its followers …showed first 75 words of 1036 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1036 total…are living through an imposed accuracy of others, and are not free to gain our own insight or knowledge. In contrast, the Durkheimian theory of knowledge states that without religion and the differentiation between the scared and the profane, knowledge is unattainable. Religion is a social contrast that helps us understand society and work for its progression, instead of the advancement of the individual; knowledge is a direct corollary of the people's understanding of religion.