Émile Durkheim
Émile Durkheim: A Pioneer of Sociology
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Émile Durkheim was born as Émile Maurice Durkheim on April 15, 1858, in Epinal, France. He is commonly referred to by his first name, Émile.
#### Birth and Death Dates
April 15, 1858 – November 15, 1917
#### Nationality and Profession(s)
French sociologist, philosopher, and social scientist
Émile Durkheim's work laid the foundation for modern sociology as an academic discipline. He is considered one of the founders of sociology alongside Karl Marx and Max Weber.
#### Early Life and Background
Durkheim was born to a Jewish family in Eastern France. His father, Moïse Durkheim, was a merchant, and his mother, Mélanie Isabelle Salomon, came from a long line of rabbis. Émile's early life was marked by a strong emphasis on education. He attended the Lycée d'Épinal in his hometown before moving to Paris for higher education.
In 1875, Durkheim enrolled at the École Normale Supérieure (ENS), where he earned his agrégé degree in philosophy. This prestigious institution provided him with a comprehensive education that would later shape his sociological theories.
#### Major Accomplishments
Durkheim's most significant contribution to sociology was his concept of social solidarity, which distinguishes between two types: mechanical and organic. Mechanical solidarity is characterized by similarities among individuals, while organic solidarity arises from the division of labor in society. This idea has had a lasting impact on sociological thought.
His other notable contributions include:
The development of sociology as an independent academic discipline.
A focus on the study of social phenomena through observation and empirical data collection.
Emphasis on the importance of understanding social norms, values, and institutions in shaping individual behavior.
#### Notable Works or Actions
Durkheim published numerous influential works during his lifetime. Some of his notable publications include:
The Division of Labor in Society (1893): This book introduced Durkheim's concept of social solidarity.
The Rules of Sociological Method (1895): In this work, Durkheim outlined the principles for conducting sociological research.
Suicide: A Study in Sociology (1897): Durkheim used statistical data to investigate the causes of suicide.
#### Impact and Legacy
Émile Durkheim's contributions to sociology have been profound. His emphasis on social solidarity, division of labor, and the importance of studying social norms have shaped the field. Many sociologists continue to build upon his work, exploring topics such as social change, inequality, and globalization.
Durkheim's legacy extends beyond academia. His ideas have influenced policymakers, educators, and social reformers worldwide. Today, his concepts remain relevant in discussions about social cohesion, economic development, and individual well-being.
#### Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Émile Durkheim is widely quoted for his thought-provoking insights into the human condition. His quotes often highlight the importance of understanding social relationships and institutions in shaping individual behavior. Some of his notable quotes include:
"The collective consciousness, a general consciousness that is not the sum of all the particular consciousness."
"A society is not made by individuals, but individuals are made by society."
Durkheim's work has had a lasting impact on sociology and beyond. His ideas continue to inspire new generations of scholars, policymakers, and social thinkers.
Quotes by Émile Durkheim
Émile Durkheim's insights on:
It is only by historical analysis that we can discover what makes up man since it is only in the course of history that he is formed.
All suicides of the insane are either devoid of any motive or determined by purely imaginary motives. Now, many voluntary deaths fall into neither category; the majority have motives, and motives not unfounded in reality. Not every suicide can therefore be considered insane, without doing violence to language.
The man whose whole activity is diverted to inner meditation becomes insensible to all his surroundings. His passions are mere appearances, being sterile. They are dissipated in futile imaginings, producing nothing external to themselves.
It is inadmissible that systems of ideas like religions, which have held so considerable a place in history, and to which, in all times, men have come to receive the energy which they must have to live, should be made up of a tissue of illusions.
From the physical point of view, a man is nothing more than a system of cells, or from the mental point of view, than a system of representations; in either case, he differs only in degree from animals.
The human person, whose definition serves as the touchstone according to which good must be distinguished from evil, is considered as sacred, in what one might call the ritual sense of the word. It has something of that transcendental majesty which the churches of all times have given to their Gods.
Whoever makes an attempt on a man's life, on a man's liberty, on a man's honour inspires us with a feeling of horror in every way analogous to that which the believer experiences when he sees his idol profaned.
The fundamental proposition of the apriorist theory is that knowledge is made up of two sorts of elements, which cannot be reduced into one another, and which are like two distinct layers superimposed one upon the other.
The individual can maintain himself in a society definitely organized only through possessing an equally definite mental and moral constitution. This is what the neuropath lacks. His state of disturbance causes him to be constantly taken by surprise by circumstances.
The liberal professions, and in a wider sense the well-to-do classes, are certainly those with the liveliest taste for knowledge and the most active intellectual life.