Emile Durkheim- Division of Labour, Social Fact, Suicide, Religion & Society
Relevant for sociology optional Paper- 1 (Unit- 4 : Sociology- Sociological Thinkers)
Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) was a French sociologist who is widely considered as one of the founding fathers of modern sociology. Durkheim’s ideas on the division of labour, social facts, suicide, and religion have had a profound impact on the development of sociology as a discipline.
Durkheim was born in Épinal, a small town in the Lorraine region of France. He came from a Jewish family and was the son of a rabbi. Despite his family’s religious background, Durkheim rejected Judaism and became a secular humanist. He studied philosophy at the “École Normale Supérieure” in Paris, where he was influenced by the positivist philosophy of Auguste Comte.
Durkheim’s theory of the division of labour emphasizes the role of specialization in the modern society. According to Durkheim, the division of labour increases as society becomes more complex, leading to the development of specialized roles and professions. Durkheim believed that this process of specialization creates a sense of solidarity among individuals, as they come to depend on one another for the fulfilment of their own needs. He identified two types of solidarity: mechanical solidarity, which is based on the similarity of individuals and their shared values, and organic solidarity, which is based on the interdependence of individuals in complex societies.
Durkheim’s theory of social facts emphasizes the importance of studying social phenomena as objective, external realities. Social facts are the patterns of behaviour, beliefs, and customs that exist in society, and they are independent of individual consciousness. Durkheim argued that social facts exert a powerful influence on individual behaviour, and that they must be studied as objective realities in order to understand the dynamics of society.
Durkheim’s theory of suicide highlights the role of social factors in shaping individual behaviour. He believed that suicide was not solely the result of individual psychological factors, but was also influenced by social factors such as social integration and regulation. Durkheim identified four types of suicide: egoistic, altruistic, anomic, and fatalistic. Egoistic suicide occurs when individuals are not sufficiently integrated into society, while altruistic suicide occurs when individuals are too integrated. Anomic suicide occurs when there is a breakdown of social norms and regulation, while fatalistic suicide occurs when individuals are excessively regulated.
Durkheim’s theory of religion emphasizes the role of religion in maintaining social cohesion and solidarity. Durkheim argued that religion is a fundamental aspect of society, as it provides a set of shared beliefs and values that bind individuals together. He identified two types of religious practices: the sacred, which represents the beliefs and practices that are set apart from the mundane world, and the profane, which represents the everyday, mundane aspects of life. Durkheim believed that the function of religion was to provide a sense of meaning and purpose to individuals, and to reinforce the social norms and values that are essential for the functioning of society.
In summary, Emile Durkheim’s ideas on the division of labour, social facts, suicide, and religion have had a profound impact on the development of sociology as a discipline. Durkheim’s theories emphasize the importance of studying social phenomena as objective realities, and highlight the role of social factors in shaping individual behaviour. His ideas on the division of labour and social integration continue to be relevant in contemporary discussions of social inequality and economic globalization, while his theories on religion and society continue to inform our understanding of the role of religion in contemporary society.
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