Emile Durkheim's Contributions To Sociology (Solg 101)

ÉMILE DURKHEIM (1858–1917)

Early Life:

Emile Durkheim 

Émile Durkheim was born on April 15, 1858, in Épinal, Lorraine, France, into a Jewish family. He was an excellent student who studied at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. After graduating, he became a professor at the University of Bordeaux. Durkheim married and had 3 children. He is regarded as one of the founding fathers of sociology.

MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS

1. Study of Social Facts:

•  Durkheim argued that sociology should study social facts — the values, norms, and structures that exist outside individuals but influence their behavior.
• Social facts are external and coercive; they shape how people act (e.g., poverty, crime, education, religion).
•  He opposed the idea of viewing society as merely a biological organism, as done by Comte and Spencer.

2. Individual and Society:

• He believed human desires are unlimited; without social control, people would never be satisfied.
•  Society exists to regulate these desires through norms and rules.

3. Sociology of Religion:

Masjid

• Durkheim saw religion as a source of social unity and moral guidance.
•  He distinguished between the sacred (holy, respected) and the profane (ordinary).
• He argued that when people worship deities, they are actually celebrating the power of their own society.

4. Sociology of Knowledge:

Description of knowledge 

• He linked religion and knowledge, explaining that human thought and understanding are shaped by collective beliefs and social experiences.

5. Mechanical and Organic Solidarity:

•  Mechanical solidarity: Found in simple, traditional societies where people share similar beliefs and lifestyles.
• Organic solidarity: Found in modern, industrial societies where people depend on each other through specialized roles.
•  He believed organic societies are more stable because of this interdependence.

6. Functionalism:

• Durkheim introduced the functional approach — every part of society serves a purpose or function.
• Even crime and deviance have functions: they help define moral boundaries and promote social change.

7. Study of Suicide:

Hanging suicide rope 

• Durkheim was the first to study suicide scientifically, showing it is influenced by social conditions.

Types of suicide:

•  Egoistic: Due to weak social ties or isolation (e.g., heartbreak, loss).
• Anomic: Due to breakdown of social norms (e.g., economic crises, war).
• Altruistic: Due to excessive social regulation or loyalty (e.g., soldiers dying for their country).
• Fatalistic: Due to oppressive conditions with no hope (e.g., prisoners, victims of extreme control).

Conclusion

Émile Durkheim laid the foundation of modern sociology by emphasizing that society shapes individual behavior through shared values, norms, and institutions. His studies on religion, suicide, and social solidarity remain central to understanding how societies function and maintain order.

References 

Introduction to Sociology: Prof. Gyon

Wikipedia contributors