Essays on Emile Durkheim

Sociology can be termed as the study of the functioning, structure, and development, of the human society. In Europe the field of sociology emerged as a separate field during the 19th century. This period is regarded as a time of turmoil due to not only the industrial revolution but also violent uprisings against the existing leaders both of which threatened Europe's social order. Other changes in Europe were such as development of social classes, discovering of new worlds as a result of exploration, the rural state were also being replaced by the emergence of factory cities. Due to these ...

Research Paper

Introduction The social world is as complex as the physical world. Due to such complexity, sociologists have made considerable efforts to explain various social phenomena through different sociological theories. One of the major sociological theories is functionalism, which has its origins in the works of Herbert Spencer and Emile Durkheim. The functionalist theory explains how societies survive and maintain social stability. It also explores dysfunctional events like suicide. This paper argues that functionalism can provide a reasonable and accurate explanation of the phenomenon of suicide since social factors, like excessive social cohesion or the lack of it and extreme ...

Part 1

Karl Marx Karl Marx attempted to look at religion from an objective and more scientific perspective, and he termed it as a form of economic injustice. According to him, it is used by those who intend to oppress others by making things and situations to look better when they are not. It is a way of exploiting the poor, and he coined the statement “opium of the masses” because it is what the people are fed so as not to see the harsh realities of their poor situations (Kendall, 2015). People just get content with their situations; make them ...

Religion has an enormous influence on any given society. Religion has been widely praised for promoting prosocial behaviors among individuals in society(Moore, 2015). Psychologists as well have acknowledged the benefits religion has to our lives such as reducing the rates of depression. In Sociology as well, religion has been long recognized for its effect of promoting prosocial attitudes and behaviors. It does this by regulating behavior and coming up with norms and values that integrate people into the society. Emile Durkheim proposed that religion has a prosocial influence of decreasing suicide via establishing values and norms by which ...

Abstract

This paper will explore the life of Emile Durkheim. It will start by giving a brief overview of his life leading up to his work as a sociologist. It will then highlight his main theories and go into detail about his work and how it contributes to the study of sociology and the development of sociological theory. It will then provide an application of his theory and conclude with a summary of findings. The purpose for this report is to discover how Emile Durkheim’s work helps us in the field of sociology and why it is still relevant ...

Some researchers argue that the innovation in science has a direct relationship with the advancement in morality. This argument, therefore, shows the link that exists between science and moral aspects. These researchers address various reasons as to why they support the fact that moral values and scientific advancements have a relationship. Conversely, some scientists criticize the fact that morality has an influence on scientific research. Accordingly, these researchers also criticize the way in which scientific facts relate to moral values. This paper discusses the morals value associated with science showing both the agreements and disagreements presented by two different ...

Science is a word that is commonly used to mean a group of cultural values that govern scientific activities, or some accumulated knowledge that come from the application of scientific methods. Values, on the other hand, are personal preferences or judgments regarding what people consider being either right or wrong or what is liked or disliked. Many scientists have the conceived notion that science deals with facts and not values and that it is objective while values are not. But the sociologists of science have challenged the scientists’ belief in science being value-free hence raising questions regarding science and ...

Society and sociology have a number of differing definitions, particularly as they relate to sociology as the study of society. Social theorists like Emile Durkheim and Georg Simmel saw society in different ways, with Simmel seeing society as a far more basic assemblage of human interactions, while Durkheim revolves his sense of society around the establishment of an objective world of society that is present regardless of the level of interaction of its subjects. However, both of these theorists explore the relationship between society and sociology, Simmel in particular views sociology as a means of examining the interaction between ...

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Abstract

This research established in the article sought to explain the issue of marriage regarding Chinese rural young women and to give the grounds if the issue served as a risk or protective factor for their suicide. The analysis included a brief summary of the main ideas of the article, the purpose of the research, key findings and consequences of the results. Moreover, the major theoretical perspective to clarify the findings was based on Emile Durkheim’s social integration theory of suicide which highlights sources of people’s social support. The observations allowed ...

Introduction

The 5-portioned documentary called Sweatshop: Deadly Fashion presented pressing and critical issues concerning society and humanity. This specific series focused on struggling citizens in Cambodia, but represents other countries where majority of the citizens suffer in poverty, prejudice and terrible governance – especially third world countries for that matter. In a span of days, this project managed to drastically change the perception of three magnificently well-off teenagers who lived life easily in their hometown-comfort-zone Norway. Miles away from home, these three wealthy Norwegian citizens named Frida, Ludvig and Anniken took time to be in an immersion and see how life ...

QUESTION 1

ABSTRACT The division of labor is one of the most important elements of social theory, and the perspectives of Karl Marx, Fredrich Engels and Emile Durkheim on the DOL heavily determine their visions for the future. For Marx and Engels, the division of labor is an inherently harmful mechanism by which the proletariat is exposed to class struggle; through a process of social revolution and class consciousness, the people would rise up and create an egalitarian, communist society out of the ashes of Communism. Durkheim, meanwhile, believes in the idealized form of the division of labor as a consequence ...

1(a) Weber

Max Weber was a widely acclaimed philosopher of German descent. He is the brainchild behind the Weberian theory. The work of Max Weber, a prominent sociologist, and political economist, the Weberian theory had a profound effect on social theory research and the discipline of sociology. A classic sociologist, Weber subscribed to Marxist ideas but nevertheless was critical to the viability of the idea of communism formulated by Karl Marx. The Weberian theory places a lot of emphasis on societal social stratification. According to Max Weber, Class, status and power are the fundamental components of the theory. Class according to ...

In my essay I would like to talk about and discuss two controversial sociological theories – functional theory developed by Emile Durkheim and conflict theory suggested by Marx and Weber. Both these theories are related to society and education, though they are quiet opposite. In order to understand these theories better, I will also provide examples of real-world situation in the world nowadays.

The first theory was suggested and developed by the French philosopher Emile Durkheim more than 100 years ago. This theory consists two main basic elements – role differentiation and social solidarity. Role differentiation means that there are ...

In the 19th century, sociologist theorists begun to formulate various theories on religion, most of them emerging towards the common agreement that religion with its cults, liturgical rituals or sacred practices was entrenched in the past and would soon decrease in importance (Norris & Inglehart, 2003). Emile Durkheim, the sociological founder of functionalist theory, linked religion to a social role of creating cohesion among society, departing from its spiritual connection with God and supernatural (Turner, 2011). Although his theory on the functionality of religion was shaped in the 19th century, it finds echoes in the way the Generation X and Generation ...

Sociological causes of drug use & abuse among college students: An Introduction

The college students, particularly those between the age-group of 18 and 24 are normally registered in colleges and universities. They are at increased risk for involving in risk drinking and other substance use than their non-college peers. These students have a tendency to involve in binge drinking and other drugs than other age-groups, whether or not they are registered in college. Normally, this predisposition arises because of: - Developmental traits of puberty and maturity, consisting of ongoing brain maturity through in the early 20s and the progress towards greater freedom and independence - Social and cultural standards of ...

In this paperwork, I will totally put in plain words the origin and development of the Functionalist perspective- talking about the ideas of Durkheim and Merton as they specifically contribute to the concept. I will, also, discuss the social control mechanisms indicated by the Functionalist Perspective. It is important to note that functionalist perspective, well-known as functionalism, acknowledges that all features of the social order are mutually dependent and contributes to the social orders working as a whole. According to a literature review, it is depicted that functionalism perspective is recognized as one of the key hypothetical perspectives in the meadow ...

There are few theories and theoretical frameworks in the realm of sociology that can rival structuralism and semiology in its scope and lasting impact in the academic realm. The “Durkheim School” as it was called in the academe, was primarily concerned with the matter of treating ‘social facts as things’. The sociologist from which this movement shares its name – Emile Durkheim – advocated for a sociology that was not based on a theory which took the individual as the starting-point of analysis (Thompson 35). Subsequent sociologists that followed Durkheim’s philosophy were also concerned with the objectivity of the field, removed from ...

Part 1

The contributions of four sociologists are considered as the basis of the modern day sociology; they are Max Weber, Emile Durkheim, Vilfredo Pareto and George Simmel. This paper is intended for tracing the comparison and contrast of theories proposed by Emile Durkheim and George Simmel. Their theories are one of the bricks of the foundation of Sociology as an independent discipline. While reading the works of these sociologists, it is quite conspicuous to find the transition of thoughts from social philosophy to sociology proper. Here, the contributions to sociology by these great proponents are examined in brief. Though both ...

Emile Durkheim is acknowledged as the first French scholar who influenced the development of the discipline of sociology in the mid-19th and late 20th centuries. As a proficient and an adversely talented academician, Durkheim was influenced by the great work of Max Weber, Auguste Comte and Karl Max who are accredited as the principal founders of the discipline of modern sociology. Throughout his career as an academician, Durkheim published numerous literature materials and made significant contributions in the development of modern sociology. As an author, Durkheim is widely recognized for publishing several literature materials including the Division of Social Labor, ...

Introduction

One of the definitions of terrorism is use of unexpected, unlawful, and shocking violence against noncombatants or any other targets by members of a secret group or agents for the purpose of making public a political or religious agenda and /or coercing or intimidating a government or civil group into giving in to the demands that are inline with their agenda (Hudson, Mageska, Savada and Metz 1999). The theoretical literature on the study of terrorism has not received the full attention of sociologist. However, in three decades, the subject is increasingly gaining attention following increased acts of terrorism across the world. ...

Division of labour by Emile Durkheim

Emile Durkheim was a notable French sociologist who wrote extensively on the works of human behavior. However, his most recognizable work was on division of labour, and how the society as a whole, is involved on the whole topic of division of labour. For the purpose of this essay, I will discuss in details the conception of occupational practices and demonstrate how their constitutive rule character, which creates social coordination, which is necessary to have social facts in common. It is important to note that economic life through division of labour cannot be regulated or controlled by any outside force such ...

Sociologists of Religion and their Thoughts

Sociology of religion is considered as the study of values, practices, beliefs, religion’s organizational forms utilizing the methods and tools of the disciplines and principles of sociology(Dillon, 2003).. The major investigation however may include exploitation of both the quantitative methods such as polls, surveys, census and demographic analysis as well as qualitative techniques such as observation, archival analysis, participation, documentary and historical material (Berzano & Riis, 2012).Sociologists associated with religious studied however study each aspect of the religion such as how a person is supposed and believed to act in the worship and his actions when he/she ...

Emile Durkheim and Alvin Toffler

This paper compares and contrasts Emile Durkheim and Alvin Toffler. It does this by focusing on their backgrounds, lives, education and achievements. Although they lived at different times, these scholars are credited for making imminent contributions in the field of sociology. Their philosophies inspired the society to have an informed perception of sociology. While Emile concentrated on modern sociological research, Alvin focused on futurism. These made them become so popular with many readers and other scholars (Craig J. C., 2002). On the other hand, Alvin is a distinguished American citizen who was born in New York City on 4th/10/1928. ...

Introduction

In his book 'The Rules of Sociological Method', French sociologist Emile Durkheim purports to promote sociology as a science to derive knowledge. In sociology, social facts are identified as a set of values, social conventions and social structures that impose social constraint on an individual. As per Durkheim, "The first and fundamental rule is to consider social facts as things" (Emile Durkheim, p 64). These 'things' are the core of sociology. In his book, Durkheim gives various explanations of social fact but the best definition lies in his last line: “A social fact is every way of acting, fixed or not, capable ...

Introduction

When it comes to social practices, rituals and festive events, these are things that are looked at as habitual activities that build the lives of communities and groups that are also shared by and relevant to uncountable of their members. To many people they are seen as vital because giving and going through the ritual of making some one feel good, appears to be what completes the cycle. The ritual of sacrifice seems to help to mark the passing of certain the seasons, in a life of a person especially if they appear to be much older. They are carefully connected ...

Question 1

Karl Marx Karl Marx theory of conflict has a lot to offer about wilding behaviour in the United States. Wilding behaviour is all about self interest, individualism and many others which do not conform or are not supported by others resulting in a conflict. Conflict is a misunderstanding that is derived from any decision made by another with or without the intentions of hurting others but mainly as a way of being in power. This is shown in the Karl Marx theory of conflict where there are two classes in the society, one is the ruling and the other is the ruled. ...

There have been various philosophies and ideas about the organization of the society since time immemorial. Various theories have come up in an attempt to define the different social, cultural and economic interactions within the society. Various theories have also been formulated in an attempt to explain this phenomenon to a deeper level. The essay below looks at the arguments presented by two philosophers on these issues. The first on is Emile Durkheim and his argument on the division of labor, and the second one is Karl Marx and his ideas on the modern capitalism. The analysis first looks at ...

Introduction

The emergence of social sciences and sociology are a distinctive thought of modern society. This is because one of the formative moments in the process of sociology came about around the eighteenth century. This is the time that a group of distinguished thinkers of the enlightenment philosophers and their successors started to rise. The development of the distinctively modern forms of thoughts about society and the realm of the social rose in this time. They do have roots in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. This is indicated by the works of Locke, Hobbes, and Bacon. The ideas of these thinkers received ...

Are "squeegee kids" and "street people" a threat to society or a version

of the American Dream? Homeless people and “squeegee men” on the streets is a disturbing issue in many developing countries. However, this social phenomenon is a typical feature of life in the USA. For example, “squeegee kids” had become prevalent in the New York City since 1980 despite of measures were applied. The number of homeless people had significantly increased throughout the country when social payments were reduced in the 1980s. This paper is to explain the phenomenon of "squeegee kids" and "street people" and the reasons of its emergence. It aims to evaluate the effectiveness of government measures applied ...

In the story of Ngeti, there are several rituals practiced by the traditional Taita community in Kenya as well as rituals practiced by the catholic community from the region. In addition, there are also rituals practiced by the Protestants1. This paper seeks to identify at least one particular ritual in Ngeti’s story that is similar to or different from the rituals identified by Emile Durkheim and understanding of rites passage.

With the myriad rituals in the story of Ngeti, the one that stands out especially with regards to traditional practices in the Taita community is the ritual to ...

Traditional society was more rigid and authoritarian than the urban, industrial society created by modern capitalism, although 19th Century sociologists like Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim found a great deal to criticize in the new order. Marx thought that capitalism was a superior form of political economy to feudalism and slavery, particularly in the progress of science, technology and economic production, but still noted the presence of a submerged and exploited class (the proletarians) whose labor power created wealth only for the capitalist elites. Eventually, though, he predicted that the workers would overthrow them in a violent revolution. Durkheim agreed with Marx that ...

Rape can be defined as type of sexual assault in which one or more persons initiate sexual intercourse with another without that persons consent. These situations of enforcing sex maybe done either by using force, abuse of authority of by having sex with someone who is not able to provide such consent. Rape is defined as so in criminology so as to have a clear direction on how courts would handle such cases. Persons who perpetrate such an act is referred to as a rapists and this definition is also applied under the sexual offenders’ registry as used in the United ...

In the beginning paragraph of this chapter Lamert (2010) advances the impression that while Durkheim‘s theory of anomie denotes a state of disorder, strategies linking modern division of labor structures seemed to emerge in response to annomie. I am in total agreement with this concept and line of thinking. Further, Lamert (2010) actually points readers towards understanding the way social order in contemporary patterns of task distribution can eliminate the anomie posited by Durkheim. This is wonderful! Precisely, I embrace interpretations of the concepts ‘anomie’ and ‘modern division of labor’ because they can be interpreted as antonyms in a ...

Introduction

Research in sociology is based on using empirical data to provide evidence or support the truth of concepts and theories and to test hypothesis. The methods of gathering data include: surveys, in-depth interviews, field research, document study, experiments and many others. Sociological research is grouped in to two major methodologies: quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative methods look at social phenomena through evidence that can be measured and they often depend on the statistics of several cases to create claims that are valid and reliable. Qualitative design on the other hand looks at social phenomena through observing directly and communicating with ...

Benefits and Risks of Modernity

Emile Durkheim is considered as being the father of sociology by many people. He is endorsed with developing sociology to a science, as well as having introduced it in the curriculum of the French. According to him, instead of restricted to specific individual actions, sociology should be aimed at studying facts accredited to society at large. In his entire profession, he was primarily apprehensive with the way the society could sustain its coherence and integrity in the modern epoch, when it is impossible to assume such things as ethnic background and shared religion. Besides, he was also apprehensive with the ...