Emile Durkheim

Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) was a French sociologist who is often credited as being the father of sociology. His work focused on understanding how societies maintain social order and how they change over time. Durkheim's theories and ideas have had a profound impact on the field of sociology and continue to be studied and applied today.

Early Life and Education

Durkheim was born on April 15, 1858, in Épinal, France. He was born into a family of devout French Jews, and his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all rabbis. Despite this, Durkheim chose to pursue an academic career instead of following in his family's religious footsteps.

Durkheim attended the École Normale Supérieure in Paris, where he studied philosophy. He graduated in 1882 and began teaching philosophy at several schools throughout France.

Career and Contributions to Sociology

In 1887, Durkheim was appointed to teach social sciences and pedagogy at the University of Bordeaux. This was the first time that sociology was recognized as a discipline in a French university.

Durkheim's major contributions to sociology include his theories on social facts, social integration, collective consciousness, and anomie. He believed that society is more than the sum of its parts and that social phenomena must be studied in their own right.

Durkheim's work on social integration is particularly notable. He argued that the degree to which individuals feel connected to their society impacts their likelihood of committing suicide. This theory was developed in his seminal work, Suicide.

Later Life and Death

Durkheim continued to teach and write until his death on November 15, 1917. His death was reportedly due to the stress and grief he experienced as a result of his son's death in World War I.

Legacy

Durkheim's work has had a lasting impact on sociology and other social sciences. His theories continue to be studied and applied in various fields, including sociology, anthropology, psychology, and history.

See Also

• Sociology
• Social facts
• Social integration
• Collective consciousness
• Anomie

References

Emile Durkheim Resources
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