Create a new account

It's simple, and free.

Durkheim's comparative sociology

1. Discuss Durkheim's comparative sociology.

Durkheim's comparative sociology was structured primarily within the contexts of the division of labor and religion (Smelser, 1976, pp. 95-113). With respect to the division of labor, Durkheim posited that four sets of closely correlated variables must be assessed in a comparative methodology investigating the social phenomenon (p. 95). These variable sets are social structure, the degree of similarity and dissimilarity, type of solidarity, and type of legal code. Durkheim's analysis of the division of labor was dichotic in character. As an example, Durkheim conceptualized two variations of solidarity and two variations of legal code. These conceptualizations were extended to posit that two variations of social structure exist that correspond to the variations in solidarity and legal code. Durkheim, thus, tended to characterize societal types as polar opposites (primitive and advanced), as opposed to a more complex type of society that encompassed some of each variation in type. Durkheim contended that greater similarity among people was present in primitive societies, while greater dissimilarity among people was present in advanced societies. When considering comparative suicide rates among different social groups, Durkheim incorporate the use of intervening variables into his comparative methodology. Durkheim, however, tended to use intervening variables only when their use supported his own preconceived conceptualizations of the independent variables that explained variations in suicide rates among different social groups.

Durkheim's causal explanations of social phenomena relied on two assumptions (Smelser, p. 113). First, Durkheim assumed that two orders of social fact co-vary consistently with one another. Second, Durkheim assumed that the association between two order of social fact was casual in character. In the case of neither of the assumptions did Durkheim prov...

Page 1 of 18 Next >

More on Durkheim's comparative sociology...

Loading...
APA     MLA     Chicago
Durkheim's comparative sociology. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 11:55, March 29, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1687282.html