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Introduction to Durkheim's Background
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Today we'll explore Emile Durkheim, one of the founders of sociology. He was born in 1858 in France into a rabbinical family but moved away from religion to create an empirical discipline. Can anyone explain what 'empirical discipline' means?
I think it means studying things you can observe directly, like behaviors or social interactions.
Exactly! Durkheim believed sociology should focus on what can be observed in social facts. Let's remember this with the acronym BEHAVE: 'Believe Empirical Habits And Visual Evidence.' Now, why do you think his religious upbringing influenced his work?
Maybe it shaped his moral perspective on society and how he viewed social cohesion?
Yes, great insight! His moral background helped him understand the importance of social solidarity.
Concept of Social Facts
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Now, letโs delve into Durkheim's concept of social facts. Can someone explain what they are?
Social facts are things like laws and institutions that influence individuals' actions.
Exactlyโsocial facts exert pressure on individuals. Think of them like the rules of a game. How would you identify social facts in your daily lives?
We have rules at school, like dress codes or attendance policies that affect how we behave.
That's a perfect example! Remember, social facts are external and can constrain our choices. Let's summarize this session: social facts guide behaviors and can be studied empirically.
Types of Solidarity
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Durkheim classified societies based on types of solidarity. Does anyone remember what mechanical and organic solidarity are?
Mechanical solidarity is found in small, similar societies, while organic solidarity is in larger, diverse societies.
Great job! Let's recall this with the mnemonic M-O: 'Mechanical is One, Organic is a mixture!' How does organic solidarity allow for individual freedom?
In organic societies, people have different roles and depend on each other, which promotes individuality.
Exactly! In organic solidarity, interdependence allows for diversity and individuality. Summarizing: mechanical solidarity values sameness, while organic solidarity values interdependence and diversity.
Moral Codes and Social Conditions
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Durkheim emphasized that moral codes reflect social conditions. What do you think moral codes can tell us about a society?
They show what values are important, like respect or community.
Exactly! Moral codes can indicate levels of social solidarity. Letโs remember this with the acronym MARCH: 'Moral codes Are Reflections of Collective Habits.' How might a change in moral codes impact social behavior?
If a society changes its moral views, that might change how people act, like how attitudes towards marriage have evolved.
Precisely! Societal changes often reflect shifts in moral expectations. This intertwines how each member shapes and is shaped by society.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
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Durkheim, considered the founding father of sociology, emphasized the significance of social facts and moral codes in shaping individual behavior. His work explored the evolution of societies from mechanical to organic solidarity, demonstrating how social cohesion and individual freedom evolve in complex societies.
Detailed
Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)
Emile Durkheim is often regarded as the founding figure of sociology, officially recognized when he became the first Professor of Sociology in Paris in 1913. Born into an orthodox Jewish family, he initially pursued rabbinical education but moved on to study philosophy, ultimately breaking from religious constraints. His sociological inquiry revolved around understanding society as a moral community, where social ties are essential for understanding individual behavior patterns.
Durkheim argued that social facts exist outside of individuals, constraining behavior and can be empirically studied. His groundbreaking work, "The Division of Labour in Society," argued that societies evolve from 'mechanical solidarity' found in primitive communities, based on similarity and shared beliefs, to 'organic solidarity' prevalent in modern, complex societies, where differences are recognized and depended upon for social cohesion.
Durkheim highlighted that moral codes, characteristic of a society, influence behaviors and values, serving as indicators of the social conditions. His approach distinguished sociology from other disciplines by advocating for an empirical methodology grounded in observable social phenomena. Through his studies, he laid the groundwork for sociology as a scientific discipline, emphasizing the need for structured academic inquiry into social phenomena.
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Biography of Emile Durkheim
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Emile Durkheim was born on April 15, 1858 in Epinal in the Lorraine region of France on the German border. He was from an orthodox Jewish family; his father, grandfather and great grandfather were all rabbis or Jewish priests. Emile too was initially sent to a school for training rabbis. 1876: Enters the Ecole Normale Superieure in Paris to study philosophy. 1887: Appointed lecturer in social sciences and education at the University of Bordeaux. 1893: Publishes Division of Labour in Society, his doctoral dissertation. 1895: Publishes Rules of Sociological Method. 1897: Founds Anee Sociologique, the first social science journal in France; and publishes his famous study, Suicide. 1902: Joins the University of Paris as the Chair of Education. Later in 1913 the Chair was renamed Education and Sociology. 1912: Publishes The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life. 1917: Dies at the age of 59, heartbroken by the death of his son, Andre in World War I.
Detailed Explanation
Emile Durkheim, a pioneer in sociology, was born into a religious family but later became agnostic. His education in philosophy at a prestigious institution laid the groundwork for his future contributions to sociology. His notable works include 'Division of Labour in Society', which explored how societies evolve, and 'Suicide', which was one of the first empirical studies in sociology. Durkheim's experience in academia and his personal losses deeply influenced his thoughts on society and its moral functions.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a young person from a family of doctors who decides to pursue art instead. Just like this individual, Durkheim moved away from his family's religious tradition to carve a new path in sociology, ultimately becoming a key figure in establishing it as a scientific discipline.
Social Facts and Moral Community
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Society was for Durkheim a social fact which existed as a moral community over and above the individual. The ties that bound people in groups were crucial to the existence of society. These ties or social solidarities exerted pressure on individuals to conform to the norms and expectations of the group. This constrained the individualโs behaviour pattern, limiting variation within a small range.
Detailed Explanation
Durkheim viewed society as more than just a collection of individuals; it was a community bound by shared morals and norms. These social factsโlike rules, values, and collective beliefsโinfluence how people act within the group. Conformity is key because it helps maintain social order, suggesting that individual behaviors arenโt random but rather governed by the expectations of the group.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a sports team where every player has specific roles and responsibilities. Each player must follow the team's strategies and cooperate with others to succeed. Similarly, Durkheim believed that social ties and agreed-upon norms guide individuals' behavior within society, ensuring coherence and collaboration.
Moral Codes as Evidence of Social Structure
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For Durkheim, the social was to be found in the codes of conduct imposed on individuals by collective agreement. It was evident in the practices of everyday life. The scientific understanding of society that Durkheim sought to develop was based on the recognition of moral facts. He wrote, โMoral facts are phenomena like others; they consist of rules of action recognizable by certain distinctive characteristics, it must then be possible to observe them, describe them, classify them and look for certain laws explaining them.
Detailed Explanation
Durkheim posited that moral codesโshared guidelines that dictate behaviorโare fundamental to understanding society. He believed these codes are produced by collective interactions and agreements among individuals. By examining these moral codes scientifically, he aimed to reveal the underlying laws that govern social dynamics, highlighting how societal norms influence behavior and social cohesion.
Examples & Analogies
Consider how schools enforce rules like attendance and respect for teachers. These rules are examples of moral codes that help create a structured environment conducive to learning. Just like these school regulations, Durkheim believed that moral codes shape not just classrooms but entire societies, guiding behaviors and interactions.
Division of Labour and Social Solidarity
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In his first book, Division of Labour in Society, Durkheim demonstrated his method of analysis to explain the evolution of society from the primitive to the modern. He classified a society by the nature of social solidarity which existed in that society. He argued that while a primitive society was organised according to โmechanicalโ solidarity, modern society was based on โorganicโ solidarity.
Detailed Explanation
Durkheim distinguished between two types of social solidarity: 'mechanical' and 'organic'. Mechanical solidarity, typical in small, traditional societies, is based on the homogeneity of its members, where individuals have similar roles and beliefs. Conversely, organic solidarity characterizes larger and more diverse modern societies, where individuals fulfill different roles yet rely on one another for the functioning of society. Understanding this transition is crucial for grasping how social complexity evolves.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a small village where everyone farmsโhere, everyone has similar duties and is connected by shared experiences, exemplifying mechanical solidarity. Now, contrast that with a big city, where some people are teachers, others are doctors, and still others are engineers. Each role is different but essential, showcasing organic solidarity where interdependence binds society together.
Definitions & Key Concepts
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Key Concepts
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Social Facts: External factors influencing individual behaviors.
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Mechanical Solidarity: Cohesion derived from similar actions and beliefs in small societies.
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Organic Solidarity: Cohesion from interdependence and diversity in larger societies.
Examples & Real-Life Applications
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Examples
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Durkheim's study of suicide rates illustrated how social factors could affect individual actions.
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The shift from communal living to urbanization in modern societies is an example where organic solidarity replaces mechanical solidarity.
Memory Aids
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๐ต Rhymes Time
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In society's web, we find the act, Moral codes guide, that's a fact!
๐ Fascinating Stories
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Once in a village, everyone did the same, they shared one trade, and stuck to their name. Then came the city, where differences grew, each with their role, they knew what to doโ organic solidarity supported them all, unlike before, where sameness stood tall.
๐ง Other Memory Gems
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To remember mechanical and organic solidarity: M-S for Mechanical (Similarity) and O-D for Organic (Diversity).
๐ฏ Super Acronyms
Use M-O as a shortcut
- Mechanical is One
- Organic is a mix!
Flash Cards
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Glossary of Terms
Review the Definitions for terms.
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Term: Social Fact
Definition:
Aspects of social reality that exist independently of individuals, shaping their actions and behaviors.
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Term: Mechanical Solidarity
Definition:
A type of social cohesion typical of small, traditional societies where individuals share similar values and beliefs.
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Term: Organic Solidarity
Definition:
A form of social cohesion in modern, complex societies characterized by interdependence and a diversity of roles.