Emile Durkheim's Methodology: Understanding the Social Aspects of Phenomena

Emile Durkheim’s Methodology: Understanding the Social Aspects of Phenomena

Emile Durkheim is a pivotal figure in the development of a distinct sociological orientation, marked by a profound emphasis on the social aspects of phenomena. His work is characterized by a clear demarcation between individualistic and sociological explanations, making a significant contribution to the field of sociology. In this article, we will delve into Durkheim’s perspective on the interrelationship between the individual and society, explore his concept of social facts as the subject matter of sociology, and examine his functional analysis of society.

Individual and Society: The Balance of Regulation

Durkheim’s understanding of human nature centers on the idea that human beings possess unlimited desires. Unlike other animals, they are not content once their biological needs are met. Instead, Durkheim contends that societal control is the only force capable of curbing these insatiable desires. Society serves as a regulatory force, imposing limits on individual passions.

When the mechanisms of social regulation break down, individuals are left to their own devices, a state Durkheim terms “anomie” or normlessness. Anomie represents a condition where individual desires are no longer guided by common norms, leaving individuals without moral guidelines in the pursuit of their goals.

Durkheim’s sociology is fundamentally concerned with the tension between social order and disorder. He seeks to explain the forces that contribute to both social regulation and its breakdown. His work addresses the delicate balance between individual desires and social cohesion, acknowledging the need for both individual and societal claims.

Durkheim identifies two types of societies in his book “Division of Labour” – those based on mechanical solidarity and those based on organic solidarity. In the former, the ‘collective conscience’ has a strong hold on the individual, whereas the latter encourages individualism. Durkheim favors organic solidarity, as he believes it allows individual concerns to strengthen societal bonds. This demonstrates Durkheim’s nuanced perspective on the relationship between the individual and society, avoiding extremes in favor of a need for societal regulation.

For Durkheim, society is ‘sui-generis,’ a self-generating entity that existed prior to individuals and will endure beyond them. While individuals are born and die, society persists independently. Durkheim’s perspective highlights the interdependence of individuals and society.

Subject Matter of Sociology: The Social Fact

Durkheim’s major works, including “The Division of Labour in Society,” “Suicide,” and “Elementary Forms of Religious Life,” emphasize sociological explanations over individualistic or psychological ones. He dismisses explanations like madness or alcoholism when studying the causes of suicide, focusing instead on the social aspect and its reflection of poor social integration. According to Durkheim, sociology is the study of essentially social facts, explained in a sociological manner.

In his work “The Rules of Sociological Method,” Durkheim outlines the foundations of his sociological approach. He emphasizes two key guidelines: first, social facts should be regarded as “things,” and second, social facts exert a constraint on individuals. Durkheim’s call to observe social facts objectively and externally is reminiscent of the methodology in natural sciences. Shedding preconceived ideas and observing social facts with a neutral lens allows for a more scientific examination.

The constraint social facts place on individuals is crucial in their recognition. For example, in a democratic society like India, social facts related to democracy become apparent during elections when citizens are compelled to make choices and take specific actions. Durkheim’s methodology is built on these two pillars – the objectivity of social fact observation and the recognition of social facts through the constraints they impose.

Durkheim’s Functional Analysis of Society: Maintaining Social Order

A significant methodological contribution by Durkheim is his functional analysis or explanation. This approach draws inspiration from biology, where each part of a living organism serves a specific function in maintaining the organism’s life and health.

When applied to the study of society, a functionalist perspective involves examining social phenomena in terms of their role in preserving social order. Durkheim argues that to fully explain a social fact, it is insufficient to identify its causal factors; one must also uncover its function in establishing and maintaining social order.

Durkheim’s work consistently emphasizes the need to demonstrate social order. In “Division of Labour,” he explores how occupational specialization contributes to maintaining social cohesion. Similarly, in “Elementary Forms of Religious Life,” he reveals the function of religious rules and beliefs in strengthening social bonds.

Comparing Durkheim and Marx: Social Conflict Versus Social Order

A striking point of divergence between Durkheim and Marx is their emphasis on social conflict versus social order. While Marx highlights the role of conflict and struggle in sustaining society’s vitality, Durkheim emphasizes harmony and social order. Durkheim views conflict as pathological or abnormal, while Marx sees it as a catalyst for social change.

Despite this contrast, both Durkheim and Marx treat society as a distinct entity or reality. They focus on social wholes rather than individual behavior and emotions, which they believe stem from specific societal conditions. Both can be described as social realists.

Weber’s Departure: The Individual and Interpretive Sociology

In contrast to Durkheim and Marx, Max Weber’s sociology marks a shift in emphasis. Weber’s starting point is social action, and he is primarily concerned with individual behavior shaped by the individual’s attitudes, values, and beliefs. Weber focuses on interpreting the meanings individuals ascribe to the world around them.

In summary, Emile Durkheim’s methodology is rooted in the exploration of social facts and the study of their functions in maintaining social order. His perspective on the interplay between the individual and society provides a balanced understanding of human behavior in a societal context. Durkheim’s approach, alongside that of Marx and Weber, contributes to the diverse and rich landscape of sociological methodology, addressing various aspects of society, from conflict to order and individual behavior to social phenomena.