Spiritual Violence: Max Weber and Norbert Elias on Religion and Civilization
Bryan S. Turner
In a famous passage from the Ynglingsaga, we hear about comrades of Odin who “went without shields, and were mad as dogs or wolves, bit on their strong bears bulls; men they slew, neither fire nor steel would deal with them; this is what called fury berserker” (Morris Magnusson 1893, 1:16–17). This could usefully function preface to either The Civilizing Process Economy Society. We can interpret Norbert Elias's theory civilizing process as, amongst other things, history decline warrior stratum in European feudalism rise court society. emergence pacified society technological development weapons employing gunpowder eventually transformed social functions status feudal warlords followers. These changes civility also chart formation nationstate centralization institutional power. transformation emotions an important feature history. discussion “On aggressiveness,” Elias (2000, 161–2) provides account how violent passions early period slowly regulated civilized forms evolved.
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