Émile Durkheim on Suicide & Society: Crash Course Sociology #5

Understanding Society: The Insights of Émile Durkheim

The Nature of Society

• Society is a complex entity that manages to hold together despite diverse interests, cultures, and backgrounds.

• It endures significant changes such as political shifts, technological advancements, and economic crises without disintegrating.

Émile Durkheim's Contributions

• Émile Durkheim sought to understand the cohesion of society amidst disruptions, particularly during his lifetime in France (1858-1917).

• He lived through a tumultuous period marked by various forms of governance and significant societal changes due to industrialization.

Sociology as a Science

• Durkheim viewed sociology as a scientific discipline aimed at understanding both normal and abnormal societal functions.

• He likened society to an organism where different parts must function harmoniously for overall health.

Methodological Innovations

• Committed to empirical research, Durkheim utilized statistical methods in his seminal work "Suicide," marking a pivotal moment in sociological methodology.

• He introduced concepts like operationalizing variables and measuring intangible social phenomena such as integration and solidarity.

Defining Social Facts

• In "Rules of Sociological Method," Durkheim defined social facts as external forces that influence individual behavior with coercive power.

• This definition encompasses various aspects of society including political systems, cultural beliefs, and social practices like holiday celebrations.

• Social facts exist independently from individuals; they shape behaviors even when not consciously acknowledged by people.

The Coercive Power of Social Facts

• Social facts exert control over individuals' actions; for example, societal expectations around gift-giving during Christmas can compel participation despite personal reluctance.

Understanding Common Consciousness and Social Dysfunction

The Concept of Common Consciousness

• Common consciousness is defined as the collection of beliefs, morals, and ideas that represent social facts within a society. These beliefs may not be universally held but exert coercive power over individuals.

• It serves to hold society together; however, it raises questions about social dysfunction and its implications.

Crime as a Social Function

• According to Durkheim, crime cannot be classified as a disease since it exists in every society. While undesirable, some level of crime is considered normal.

• Durkheim posits that crime has a purpose: it reinforces common consciousness by providing public lessons on morality through punishment.

• Historical examples illustrate this point; for instance, Rosa Parks' act of civil disobedience was criminal yet catalyzed significant societal change.

Understanding Social Dysfunction

• Excessive levels of crime can indicate social dysfunction when they impede the normal functioning of society.

• As a structural functionalist, Durkheim believed that social dysfunction stems from larger structural issues within the social organism.

Suicide and Societal Structure

• In his study on suicide, Durkheim identified a strong correlation between societal structure and individual actions like suicide.

• He noted an increase in suicide rates during the transition from traditional to modern societies due to diminished social integration.

Solutions Proposed by Durkheim

• Traditional societies provided clear roles and connections among individuals; modernity weakened these bonds leading to feelings of isolation.

• To address high suicide rates, Durkheim suggested strengthening social organizations—especially workplace-related ones—to restore individuals' sense of belonging.

Conclusion: The Role of Sociology

• Despite criticisms regarding statistical quality in his research, Durkheim's work laid foundational concepts for sociology as a scientific discipline aimed at diagnosing societal issues.