What do you think of Emile Durkheim?

Question

Why does he appeal to you?

Let's see what everyone thinks!

Answer 1

Probably one of the most interesting things to me about Durkheim are his ideas in regards to solidarity and how normative expectations are formed within our society.  The bonds that not only connect society but also guide us as individuals within society to behave the way we do based on our internalization of norms.  

I cannot even count how many times I have heard someone say, “Oh, they were a loner and outcast of society and were doomed from the start….,” but I think people neglect to see that integration is not the fix all.  There IS such a thing as TOO much integration as well as TOO little (as seen in his suicide studies).  With most things in society....you must find balance.

Answer 2

I loved his work on the sacred and the profane.   It just goes to show you that when you seek out the sacred you discover it not that had to find but the profane day to day is extremely elusive.

For example take work in western Society.  It is generally perceived as the most profane day to day thing we will ever do in our lives.  But when we look closer we se the act of working can be seen as sacred.

What would happen if we didn't work or look for work?  In western society we would be ostracised, marginalised as a waster.  here the simple act of looking for work can be seen as a sacred ritual based on the believe that the individual must work to be accepted by society.