Emile Durkheim

Émile Durkheim (1858–1917), a French sociologist, is widely regarded as one of the principal architects of modern social science and the father of sociology. Born to Jewish parents in the Lorraine region of France, he embraced the secular, scientific approach to society and was committed to the development and establishment of sociology as a rigorous discipline. Durkheim’s academic career ascended from teaching philosophy at secondary schools to holding a prominent position at the University of Bordeaux, where he was given the first academic chair in sociology. Later, he moved to the prestigious Sorbonne in Paris, where his influence expanded as he continued to teach and write. His doctoral thesis, "The Division of Labor in Society" (1893), introduced his concept of social solidarity, the bonds that connect individuals within a society. His structural functionalist approach posited that society is an entity that exceeds the sum of its parts, consisting of various interrelated institutions which contribute to maintaining the whole. Durkheim argued that changes in the division of labor affect social solidarity, transitioning from mechanical to organic solidarity as societies become more complex. In "The Rules of Sociological Method" (1895), Durkheim outlined the methodology for sociology, emphasizing empirical and systematic research to study social facts, aspects of social life that have an external and coercive force over individuals. Perhaps Durkheim’s most famous work is "Suicide" (1897), a groundbreaking study that used statistics to argue that suicide rates are indicative of underlying social currents and can be classified into types determined by the society’s influence on the individual. Durkheim's contributions extended to the study of religion and its social functions, culminating in "The Elementary Forms of Religious Life" (1912), where he analyzed the role of religion in reinforcing collective conscience and maintaining social cohesion. Durkheim’s work established key theories in sociology, emphasizing the analysis of social structures, the study of collective norms and values, and the importance of social facts in understanding human behavior. His intellectual legacy continues to influence sociology, anthropology, and other social sciences.