Durkheim Quotes & Lecture Notes

Before posting the passages that I quoted in class yesterday, let me remind everyone to check out the previous blog post which describes the family activity of making up questions for the midterm exam. I TRUST YOU'LL ALL BE PREPARED TO BEGIN BRAINSTORMING SOME QUESTIONS WITH YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS NEXT TUESDAY, 3/15.
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The first quote was from Durkheim in which he explicitly utilizes the "organic analogy" in connection with describing the role of "restitutive law" in modern society.
"This law (restitutive) definitely plays a role in society analogous to that played by the central nervous system in the organism. The latter has as its task, in effect, the regulation of the different functions in the body in such a way as to make them harmonize."

The next passage, from another secondary source on Durkheim, highlights the point I was belaboring yesterday in class -- that Durkheim recognized the limitations of the division of labor to bring about "organic solidarity" by itself:
"By the end of "The Division of Labor in Society," it is clear that Durkheim had doubts about the possibility of organic solidarity emerging automatically from the increasing division of labor. It would require a more conscious effort of planning and reform to bring it about." and that additional effort would mainly be in the form of a "moral education."

One of the major problems in modern society that needed to be addressed was the condition Durkheim called "anomie," and this next passage, from a different secondary source, has a good description of anomie that is lacking in our text:
"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-interested) 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, again, sociology could play a key role in developing a new morality (or "science of ethics") to cultivate the "individual's socially oriented part." I would also add that "anomie" is often simply defined as a condition of "normlessness," or breakdown of moral guidelines.

I went on from here to present some observations about what Durkheim had in mind in terms of a moral education. So, let me continue with some additional lecture notes on Durkheim:


METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES ("The Rules of Sociological Method")

A. First, let me note that we are NOT talking about a "how to" book on research methods, but more of a philosophical manifesto for sociology, defining what was unique about sociology, how sociologists look at society.

B. Durkheim's methodology rests solidly on a foundation of SOCIAL REALISM -- "...society has a reality sui generis -- that is an objective reality apart from the individuals within it." (p. 96) as Durkheim himself goes on to observe in his own words.

1. More specifically, he defined sociology as the science of institutions, of their genesis and functioning. (as we'll see later, Ahrens will likewise focus on institutions, or what he calls "corporate persons.")

C. Another concept that logically connects with the above is that of SOCIAL FACTS, which may be intangible but are nonetheless real things that have a coercive effect on individuals. See bottom, p.96 - top, p.97.

D. And Durkheim urged sociologists to study the FUNCTION of social facts -- that is, objectively, what role they play in society (and not in terms to some predetermined purpose or end, meaning Durkheim was rejecting TELEOLOGY).

E. And, ultimately, we want to understand the cause(s) of social facts.


METHODOLOGY DEMONSTRATED: "SUICIDE"

("Suicide" did provide a working example of the application of his methodology, but I would say he also saw "Suicide" as a vindication of sorts of his SOCIAL REALISM.)

A. The authors note briefly how Durkheim demonstrated that other explanations of this phenomenon (insanity, imitation, etc.) were inadequate. By examining SUICIDE RATES (itself a "social fact"), we could trace fluctuations in these rates to social conditions. Durkheim identified 4 types, among which I would say "anomic suicide" is the most significant.

1. EGOISTIC SUICIDE: "The individual is isolated and potentially suicidal because the "ties uniting him with others are slackened or broken" because of the "weakening of the social fabric." -- or simply, "excessive individualism" which modern, industrial society tended to encourage. (eg., higher rates among Protestants - a more individualistic religion, higher rates among urban dwellers, unmarried men.)

2. ALTRUISTIC SUICIDE: "...is the obverse of egoistic suicide. It is the result of the excessive integration of the individual in the group." (eg., more prevalent in societies bound by the "collective conscience," soldiers generally, later examples: Japanese kami-kaze pilots WWII, cults (Jim Jones Temple), even Islamic terrorists/suicide bombers.) This type of suicide is a great example of the power of social pressure.

3. ANOMIC SUICIDE: "...is a result of the breakdown of the moral continuity (or moral guidelines) and the resulting disturbance of social equilibrium." Society does not exercise the necessary restraint on individuals and their desires. (eg., businessmen, liberal professions, celebrities, espcially those who become suddenly famous.)

4. FATALISTIC SUICIDE: the obverse of anomic suicide. Results from excessive or oppressive social regulation; no hope for the future. (eg., slaves, young husbands, childless, unmarried women.)

Overall: Durkheim sets these types up as opposites of each other:
egoistic -- altruistic
anomic -- fatalistic
And clearly, he sees egoistic and anomic forms more prevalent in modern society.
See top, p. 100.

B. Interesting how this relates to marriage and divorce. Generally speaking, Durkheim found marriage (from the standpoint of suicide) to be GOOD FOR MEN BUT BAD FOR WOMEN. Nonetheless, he went on to propose marriage be made more restrictive by eliminating divorce, even though that might lead to more women committing suicide. Sort of a "lesser evil argument" showing a distinct male bias.


GENDER DIFFERENTIATION:

A. As the above point about suicide and marriage suggests, Durkheim accepted the notion that there were fundamental physical and mental differences between the sexes which were natural or biologically based, which meant men and women were suited to different tasks in social life.

B. "Women's domestic role was 'natural' and functional in the logic of progressive specialization, as well as being important to the moral health of society." (p. 112)

C. Durkheim also appears to have bought into the stereotype of women as closer to nature; men more rational and intellectual. And in this respect, if one of the marks of social progress is control of nature, then it is a sign of progress that men control women.

D. I believe it is undeniable that Durkheim made some significant contributions to sociology and explored some important issues regarding the transition to modern society, but on the gender issue I fully concur with the authors' assessment --
"Like so many classical sociologists, Durkheim's sociological imagination seems to have deserted him when it comes to the question of gender." (p. 114)
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That brings us up to the critique and conclusions section, which is where I will pick up in class on Tuesday, 3/15, and then get into Chapter 5. Finally, DON'T FORGET TO CHECK THE PREVIOUS BLOG POST.