Emile Durkheim

Question 1

What did Durkheim expand upon Comte’s ideas?

Answer 1

Expanded on the idea that society is more than the sum of its parts. His primary contribution was the functionalism theory.

Question 2

How does Durkheim separate psychology and sociology?

Answer 2

Sociology is a social science and requires the use of the scientific method.

Question 3

What is the basis of morality for Durkheim?

Answer 3

Social facts

Question 4

What are social facts?

Answer 4

It is an attribute of social reality. Social facts include social structures and cultural norms and values that are external to, and coercive of, social actors

Question 5

What was the most important social fact for Durkheim?

Answer 5

Morality

Question 6

What is Durkheim’s idea of the relationship between individuals and morality?

Answer 6

Individuals have morality to the extent that they are members of society

Question 7

What is the definition of moral action?

Answer 7

Activity that is oriented toward the benefit of the society or social group and is characterized by “feelings of obligation and desirability”

Question 8

How did Durkheim feel about utilitarianism?

Answer 8

He was very critical about it.

Question 9

What is the definition of utilitarianism?

Answer 9

It is an ideology that individuals should pursue their self-interests to achieve the ‘greatest good’ for the greatest number of people

Question 10

What is the historical context around utilitarianism?

Answer 10

The emerging entrepreneurial/capitalist middle class opposed authority held by the nobiliry and aristocracy

Question 11

What were Durkheim’s critiques about Utilitarianism?

Answer 11

Utilitarian assumptions provide misleading and inaccurate understanding of society: Moral action cannot be equated with egoist behavior.

Question 12

What is the basis of morality is comparable to?

Answer 12

Altruistic behavior

Question 13

What is the definition of altruistic behavior?

Answer 13

A form of self-sacrifice that is an outcome of conforming to an informal (or formal) set of guidelines that contribute to the maintenance of the collective (group or society)

Question 14

What is the best summary for Durkheim’s opinion of morality, utilitarianism, and society?

Answer 14

Social harmony does not exist in societies where self-interests prevail

Question 15

What is the relationship between morality, utilitarianism, and conflict?

Answer 15

Morality limits conflict because their is a collective interests for the betterment of society. Self-interests cause more conflict.

Question 16

What is the definition of morality?

Answer 16

It is characterized by the individual’s feelings of obligation and desirability toward the social whole.

Question 17

What is the embodiment of morality? Why?

Answer 17

Social institutions because they provide a benefit to society, while creating unity and harmony.

Question 18

What is the definition of mechanical solidarity?

Answer 18

Mechanical solidarity exists in early societies made up of small groups where there is little to no division of labor other than gender-based division of labor, and the societies were held together by morality.

Question 19

What are the characteristics of mechanical solidarity?

Answer 19

homogeneity, sameness, self-sufficiency

Question 20

What is the definition of collective conscious?

Answer 20

It is the characteristic of group or society arising from and supporting a unified mental and emotional response to the events of the world

Question 21

What are the two types of functions in all societies?

Answer 21

Manifest functions and latent functions

Question 22

What is the definition of manifest functions?

Answer 22

They are the contributions made by the individual or group to the maintenance of the group/society that have a recognized function (hunting, gathering, raising children)

Question 23

What is the definition of Latent functions?

Answer 23

They serve to reinforce the moral code and unify the society; neither consciously intended nor recognized functions

Question 24

Where are latent functions the strongest?

Answer 24

IN mechanical societies because they are the only form of social control

Question 25

What are the mechanisms to contain self-interest and maintain the collective?

Answer 25

collective consciousness, limited division of labor, few differences existing between the members’ conception of reality

Question 26

What is the difference between the manifest function’s punishment and the latent function’s punishment?

Answer 26

The manifest function would rehabilitate the offender of social norms. The latent function’s punishment exists because it enables the community/society to do something for itself by inflicting pain on the offender of rules necessary to preserve society.

Question 27

How does latent punishment affect the society?

Answer 27

It strengthens or restores society’s moral intergrity and reaffirms its most fundamental values. It also restores the collective consciousness

Question 28

What are repressive laws? What is their function?

Answer 28

Laws involving punishment or destruction of a violator of social rules. Their purpose is to reaffirm, strengthen, and reinforce the permanency of the moral code.

Question 29

What are the characteristics of organic solidarity?

Answer 29

modernity, advanced division of labor, weak social integration

Question 30

Modern society has what kinds of laws?

Answer 30

repressive and restitute laws

Question 31

What is the definition of restitutive laws?

Answer 31

obligations by the violator of social rules to compensate the victim (economic sanctions) in terms of damages done (contracts)

Question 32

What is the collective conscious like in organic societies?

Answer 32

It is weak because the advanced division of labor separates people