Passages From and About Durkheim

Below are the two passges I quoted in class this morning (Tues. 3/3):

First from Durkheim, illustrating the organic analogy and the role of restitutive law in modern society:
"This law (restitutive) definitely plays a role in society analogous to that played by the nervous system in the organism. The latter has as its task, in effect, the regulation of the different functions of the body in such a way as to make them harmonize."

Second, from a previous text I used in this course, which brings out the condition of society Durkheim referred to as "anomie," and why a new morality was needed:
" In general, the anomic state of modern society has led to a relatively unrestrained citizenry, wherein people primarily look out for their own interests and have disregard for those of others....The individual's social part, Durkheim insisted, is just as natural to humans as their individual (self-interest) part. The problems of modern society are due not to a basically anti-social human nature but to the structure of contemporary society, which does not adequately nurture, develop, and sustain the individual's socially oriented part."

And, as I noted in class, in Durkheim's view sociology could play a key role in developing a new morality (a "science of ethics") to cultivate the "individual's socially oriented part." Which at first he thought the occupational group could instill in individuals, but eventually Durkheim advocated a "moral education," also the title of his last work. Note also how I tied this in to the passage from Habits of the Heart, where the authors in attacking our radical individualism and reminding us of our social connection would wholeheartedly endorse Durkheim's point.

That's all for now. Don't forget first thing on Thursday (3/5) I want to hear from a spokesperson for each of the families what you concluded about Chapter 3 on Spencer and Sumner. Also, please turn in a copy of your findings to me. And I will hand back your first essay.