Are we individuals? According to Emile Durkheim (1858-1917), “society has a strong influence on the individuals who need to adapt themselves to and already determined fixed society” (Frazaneh, 2008, p. 1).Max Weber (1864-1920) on the other hand states that, “the response or reaction of the individual is a determining factor that constantly and consistently shapes and molds society itself” (Frazaneh, 2008, p. 1).
Emile Durkheim was a French sociologist, who is cited by some as the principal architect of modern social science. (Unknown Author, 2002, Para. 1) Durkheim is stating that members of society state what an individual will say and do. In Durkheim’s book, “The Division of Labor,” “he introduced the concept of anomie” (Unknown Author, Para. 2). An anomie is a state or condition of individuals or society characterized by a breakdown or absence of social norms and values. (Online Etymology Dictionary, n.d.) Durkheim argues that the sacred is a necessity for human existence, since humans are social animals and have always, and will always need a deeper meaning and focus to their lives. (Kleinburg, 2007, p. 1) Durkheim stressed that people are the product of their social environment and that behavior cannot be understood fully in terms of individual, biological, and psychological traits. (Kendall, 2010, p. 11) According to Durkheim, anomie is most likely to occur during a period of rapid social change. (Kendall, 2010, p. 12)
Max Weber was a German sociologist and political economist best known for his ideas on bureaucracy and his profound influence on sociological theory. (Mitzman, 2011) Weber demonstrated that the comparative method was essential because the behaviour of institutions in societies could not be understood in isol...
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...ieved February 28, 2011, from The Processes of Socialization of Max Weber and Emile Durkheim: http://www.suite101.com/content/the-influence-of-society-on-the-individual-a70121
Kendall, D. (2010). Sociology in Our Times: The Essentials. Belmont: Wadswoth Cengage Learning.
Kleinburg, A. (2007, December 12). Literary Analysis: The Division of Labor in Society, by Emile Durkheim. Retrieved February 28, 2011, from Literature Review: The Division of Labour in Society by Emile Durkheim: http://www.helium.com/items/745492-literary-analysis-the-division-of-labor-in-society-by-emile-durkheim
Mitzman, A. (2011). Max Weber. Retrieved February 28, 2011, from Encyclopædia Britannica: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/638565/Max-Weber
Newman, D. M., & O'Brien, J. (2010). Sociology exploring the architecture of everyday life readings. Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press.
Kendall, D., Linden, R., & Murray, J. L. (2008). Sociology in our times: The essentials (4th Cdn
Individualism and collectivism are conflicting beliefs with the nature of humans, society, and the relationships between them, however, these ideologies are not diametrically opposing since both are essential towards balancing beliefs from becoming extremes. The first source represents the idea of collectivism and suggests that the society must focus on moving their viewpoint from ‘me’ into ‘we’ in the interest of survival and progression. This perspective presents the idea that the individual’s advantage belongs not only to the person, but to the group or society of which he or she is a part of, and that the individual’s values and goals are for the group’s “greater good.” Likewise, Karl Marx’s principle of communism emphasizes in the elimination
...fitting from modern capitalism as they increase profits through the labour theory of value, while exploiting the proletariats. On the other hand, the proletariats are at danger, as they become alienated through mass production and the labour theory of value does not work in their favour. Durkheim views the specialization of labour to be effective until it is pushed too far, resulting in a state of anomie. The division of labour can be seen as beneficial to society as it allows mass production, increased profits, and creativity and interests to be used among individuals, keeping their human identity. At the same time, the division of labour can be seen as dangerous, as over specialization leads to anomie. Through both Marx and Durkheim, we can conclude that modern capitalism has both its benefits and dangers towards individuals and societies in a capitalist economy.
Kendall, Diana. 2012. Sociology in Our Times: The Essentials, Edited by M. Kerr. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Weber, on the other hand, tried to look at the macro-sociological phenomenon in his explanation. Weber felt that there is just more than one explanation for the causes of change. Marx’s perspective was not based on the conflict of ideas, but rather on the conflict of classes. This conflict is the result of a new mode of production. According to Marx, history would consist of epochs of modes of production.
Durkheim was concerned with studying and observing the ways in which society functioned. His work began with the idea of the collective conscious, which are the general emotions and opinions that are shared by a society and which shape likeminded ideas as to how the society will operate (Desfor Edles and Appelrouth 2010:100-01). Durkheim thus suggested that the collective ideas shared by a community are what keeps injustices from continuing or what allows them to remain.
‘Society makes and remakes people, but society is also made and remade by the multiple connections and disconnections between people, and between people, places and things’ (Havard, 2014, p.67).
Newman, David. 2010. “Seeing and Thinking Sociologically.” Sociology: Exploring the architecture of everyday life: 8th edition, edited by D.Newman. Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press, Sage Publications Company.
These questions, and others like them, underlie much that has been considered ambiguous in Max Weber's writings: His methodology. Since his death, sociologists and political scientists have been disputing where Weber stood with regard to questions concerning the relationship of objectivity to facts and v...
Weber believes each society is different and comes up with ideal typical constructs to explain a certain society. His starting point for his theory is meaningful social action. Weber believes that humans are naturally valuing beings who carry certain values and interpret natural and social factors based on their values. Humans are conscious creatures who attach meaning towards an act which is directed towards another individual. Weber is concerned with social action, its subjective meaning and the unintended consequences of the actions. According to Weber, structure is a result of action which in return affects the individuals who are responsible for setting up the structure.
Individuality and conformity both play a major role in society. No matter what it may be individuals will need to choose appropriately between conforming and acting individualistically about their situation. Individuality allows individuals to freely express themselves while conformity offers safety under the protection of other conformers. Both of these aspects are beneficial to many individuals and is a key to maintaining societal order; however, it is disastrous to have too much of either side of the spectrum. Therefore, there should be a balance between individuality and conformity because having too much of either side morally and physically harms components of society, such that it pressures and forces individuals to do tasks against their will, and causes individuals to think selfishly and worry solely about themselves.
[10] Kendall, Diana, et al. Sociology in Our Times. ITP Nelson and Co. Toronto, 1997. 126.
Hebding, D.E and Leonard, G. (1996) Introduction to sociology: A text with readings, 5th ed. McGraw Hill Inc. (worldwide).
To be a social being is to be human. The very existence of society can be seen as proof that the ter...
...Henslin, James M. "Social Structure and Social Interaction." Essentials of Sociology: A down to Earth Approach. 10th Ed. 10th ed. Pearson, 2013. 112. Print.