Plausibility structure

In the sociological study of religion, the plausibility structure is the sociocultural context (or base) for systems of meaning, action, or beliefs which are basic to and tend to remain unquestioned by individuals in a given society.

The term seems to have been coined by Peter L. Berger, who says he draws his meaning of it from the ideas of Karl Marx, G. H. Mead, and Alfred Schutz (The Sacred Canopy, 1967. 45, 192).

The plausibility structure allows one to consider whether an idea or action can be considered a norm, and shouldn't be questioned (if it fits the "plausibility structure", it is "believable"). In a modern, pluralistic society, however, many diverse groups, each with their own distinctive plausibility structure, are forced to coexist.

See also

• Lifeworld
• Base and superstructure
• Sociology of Knowledge
• Episteme
• Belief revision

References

• Peter L. Berger. The Sacred Canopy: Elements of a Sociological Theory of Religion. New York: Doubleday, 1967.
• Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann.The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge. New York: Doubleday, 1966.
• James W. Sire, Naming the elephant: worldview as a concept, InterVarsity Press, 2004, ISBN 083082779X, p.112-113
• PLAUSIBILITY, Encyclopedia of Religion and Society