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==Origin==

==Origin==

[[Latin]] plausibilis [[worthy]] of [[applause]], from plausus, past participle of plaudere

[[Latin]] plausibilis [[worthy]] of [[applause]], from plausus, past participle of plaudere

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1565]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1565]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1: [[superficially]] [[fair]], reasonable, or valuable but often specious <a plausible [[pretext]]>

*1: [[superficially]] [[fair]], reasonable, or valuable but often specious <a plausible [[pretext]]>

The believability of [[religious]] and/or [[secular]] meanings.

The believability of [[religious]] and/or [[secular]] meanings.

Within the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociology_of_religion social scientific study of religion], the [[problem]] of '''plausibility''' usually revolves around the question of why and how [[individuals]] regard their [[beliefs]] as real or true. Although some [[psychological]] [[explanations]] have [[interpreted]] plausibility as an almost [[purely]] [[subjective]] [[phenomenon]], many [[Sociology|social scientists]] [[focus]] not only on the [[content]] of [[meaning]] [[systems]] but also on the [[dialectical]] [[relationship]] between [[meanings]] and the broader sociocultural [[context]] within which these meanings "make sense" or are plausible.

Within the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociology_of_religion social scientific study of religion], the [[problem]] of '''plausibility''' usually revolves around the question of why and how [[individuals]] regard their [[beliefs]] as real or true. Although some [[psychological]] [[explanations]] have [[interpreted]] plausibility as an almost [[purely]] [[subjective]] [[phenomenon]], many [[Sociology|social scientists]] [[focus]] not only on the [[content]] of [[meaning]] [[systems]] but also on the [[dialectical]] [[relationship]] between [[meanings]] and the broader sociocultural [[context]] within which these meanings "make sense" or are plausible.

Any [[beliefs]] held by [[individuals]] and [[groups]] are sustained through sociocultural [[institutions]] and [[processes]]. But the metaempirical or [[transcendent]] [[nature]] of [[religious]] [[beliefs]] makes their plausibility especially [[problematic]]. Believers require [[social]] [[support]], usually in the form of a religious [[community]] or congregation, to authenticate and reaffirm the typically extraordinary [[truth]] claims of their [[faith]]. Members of the [[community]] will likely use a somewhat specialized [[language]] and [[participate]] in [[sacred]] [[rituals]] as important means for [[expressing]], [[sharing]], and internalizing their [[beliefs]]. For the [[religion]] to [[survive]] beyond the current [[generation]], believers also must [[develop]] appropriate [[socialization]] [[processes]] to ensure that new and [[future]] members [[accept]] their [[faith]] as plausible.

Any [[beliefs]] held by [[individuals]] and [[groups]] are sustained through sociocultural [[institutions]] and [[processes]]. But the metaempirical or [[transcendent]] [[nature]] of [[religious]] [[beliefs]] makes their plausibility especially [[problematic]]. Believers require [[social]] [[support]], usually in the form of a religious [[community]] or congregation, to authenticate and reaffirm the typically extraordinary [[truth]] claims of their [[faith]]. Members of the [[community]] will likely use a somewhat specialized [[language]] and [[participate]] in [[sacred]] [[rituals]] as important means for [[expressing]], [[sharing]], and internalizing their [[beliefs]]. For the [[religion]] to [[survive]] beyond the current [[generation]], believers also must [[develop]] appropriate [[socialization]] [[processes]] to ensure that new and [[future]] members [[accept]] their [[faith]] as plausible.

Some [[sociologists]] refer to the [[concept]] of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plausibility plausibility structure]]" when describing the sociocultural [[context]] or "base" for [[meaning]] systems. Societywide [[structures]] were likely the norm in earlier historical periods. But in a [[modern]], [[pluralistic]] [[society]] characterized by rapid [[social]] [[change]], many [[diverse]] [[groups]], each with its own somewhat distinctive plausibility structure, are [[forced]] to coexist. For [[religious]] [[groups]] especially, the very [[presence]] of other denominations, [[sects]], and [[cults]] carries with it the implication that [[alternative]] [[truth]] claims are now available to members. As the relativization of [[meaning]] [[systems]] continues, each group's [[confidence]] in the plausibility or certainty of its [[shared]] [[beliefs]] may become weakened.

Some [[sociologists]] refer to the [[concept]] of "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plausibility plausibility structure]]" when describing the sociocultural [[context]] or "base" for [[meaning]] systems. Societywide [[structures]] were likely the norm in earlier historical periods. But in a [[modern]], [[pluralistic]] [[society]] characterized by rapid [[social]] [[change]], many [[diverse]] [[groups]], each with its own somewhat distinctive plausibility structure, are [[forced]] to coexist. For [[religious]] [[groups]] especially, the very [[presence]] of other denominations, [[sects]], and [[cults]] carries with it the implication that [[alternative]] [[truth]] claims are now available to members. As the relativization of [[meaning]] [[systems]] continues, each group's [[confidence]] in the plausibility or certainty of its [[shared]] [[beliefs]] may become weakened.

[[Sociological]] [[research]] into this [[phenomenon]], particularly among [[scholars]] interested in the [[development]] and career [[stages]] of [[new religious movements]], has examined the [[factors]] [[influencing]] the [[strength]] or relative "firmness" of a given religious plausibility structure. Some [[studies]] have directed [[attention]] to the [[strategies]] employed by specific [[religions]] in protecting the plausibility of their [[meaning]] system from the [[effects]] of [[pluralism]] and social [[change]]. [[Researchers]] also have applied the [[concept]] to [[theory]] construction regarding [[conversion]] and defection [[dynamics]] as well as the [[process]] by which some defectors from religious [[communities]] become reintegrated within other [[groups]].[http://hirr.hartsem.edu/ency/Plausibility.htm]

[[Sociological]] [[research]] into this [[phenomenon]], particularly among [[scholars]] interested in the [[development]] and career [[stages]] of [[new religious movements]], has examined the [[factors]] [[influencing]] the [[strength]] or relative "firmness" of a given religious plausibility structure. Some [[studies]] have directed [[attention]] to the [[strategies]] employed by specific [[religions]] in protecting the plausibility of their [[meaning]] system from the [[effects]] of [[pluralism]] and social [[change]]. [[Researchers]] also have applied the [[concept]] to [[theory]] construction regarding [[conversion]] and defection [[dynamics]] as well as the [[process]] by which some defectors from religious [[communities]] become reintegrated within other [[groups]].[https://hirr.hartsem.edu/ency/Plausibility.htm]

[[Category: Sociology]]

[[Category: Sociology]]

[[Category: Philosophy]]

[[Category: Philosophy]]