Sociology 2240E Chapter Notes -Mechanical And Organic Solidarity, Altruistic Suicide, Southern Sociological Society
9 Jul 2014
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Document Summary
2 main themes in the work of emile durkheim: the priority of the social over the individual, the idea that society can be studied scientifically. Approaches things from the opposite perspective, stressing the social dimension of all human phenomena. Society is made up of social facts that exceed our intuitive understanding and must be investigated through observations and measurements. Durkheim argued that sociology should be oriented towards empirical research (was complicated by his belief that sociology was also threatened by a philosophical school within sociology itself) (really focused on studying the social world empirically) Social facts (to move away from philosophy and to give sociology a clear identity) Social facts: the social structures and cultural norms and values that are external to, and coercive of, actors. Constrain people in all areas of social life. Are to be treated as things (crucial in separating sociology from philosophy)
