What is "according to durkheim?

Émile Durkheim, a foundational figure in sociology, emphasized social facts as the primary subject matter of the discipline. These social facts are external to the individual, coercive, and general throughout a given society. He believed that sociology should study these social facts objectively, much like scientists study the natural world.

Durkheim's key concepts include:

• Social solidarity: The bonds that unite members of a society. He distinguished between mechanical solidarity (based on similarity and common beliefs in traditional societies) and organic solidarity (based on interdependence and specialization in modern societies).

• Division of labor: Durkheim argued that the increasing specialization of tasks in modern societies led to organic solidarity. He explored both the positive and potentially negative consequences of this division.

• Anomie: A state of normlessness or social deregulation where individuals lack clear guidelines or social control, leading to feelings of disconnect and potentially deviant behavior. Durkheim explored the relationship between anomie and suicide.

• Collective consciousness: The shared beliefs, ideas, and moral attitudes which operate as a unifying force within society.

• Religion: Durkheim viewed religion not simply as a system of beliefs, but as a fundamental social institution that provides social cohesion and reinforces shared values. His work, The Elementary Forms of Religious Life, examined the social origins and functions of religion.

Durkheim's work profoundly influenced the development of sociology as a scientific discipline, emphasizing empirical research and the importance of understanding social structures and processes.