Taylor Payne

A-3
Émile Durkheim

Emile Durkheim was a French sociologist who lived in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

He became one of the first Frenchmen to teach sociology and developed several sociological

theories which were strongly influenced by previous sociologists’ theories, such as Auguste

Comte’s theory of sociological positivism and many others. His studies mostly surrounded the

concept of Social Fact.

Durkheim believed that certain tragedies in society, like suicide, were not caused by

individualized influences but rather certain processes of society in general. He thought that these

“social facts” could be fixed simply by changing the parts of society that caused them instead of

trying to help individuals overcome the influence being placed on them by society.

To support and further develop his theory, Durkheim studied suicide thoroughly and

separated all suicides into 4 groups: Altruistic, Egoistic, Anomic, and Fatalistic. Altruistic

suicides were those that occurred when members of society become too attached to a group or to

society as a whole. Egoistic occurred when people were not involved enough in society and

becomes “disconnected” from others. Anomic suicide is caused by dramatic changes to a

person’s society which changes their outlook on reality. The last group, Fatalistic Suicide, is a

result of heavy oppression or regulation in a person’s life which leads them to kill themselves

rather than be controlled or ruled over.

Durkheim’s studies have changed many people’s perspectives on society and have been

crucial in analyzing problems in today’s world. His work has also provided new perspective into

several major social subjects like crime, religion, and education.