Comparing The Concepts of Anomie and Alienation

Comparing The Concepts of Anomie and Alienation

In order to answer the question posed, it is important to firstly

define what is meant by the two important terms, I can then both

compare and contrast Anomie and Alienation and discuss some of the

complex issues surrounding both.

Alienation is seen to be the separation from oneself, other

individuals, society, or work. Some sociologists believe that

alienation is inevitably produced not by the individual but by the

shallowness and the lack of individuality of modern society. The

concept of alienation has been held to account for behaviour patterns

as diverse as motiveless violence and total immobility.

Alienation is a state in which the creations of humanity appear to

humans as alien objects. People create their own society but remain

alienated until they recognise themselves within their own creation.

Until this time people will assign an independent existence to

objects, ideas and institutions and be controlled by them. In the

process they lose themselves, become strangers in the world they

created: they become alienated.

The notion of alienation is an ancient one. St Augustine wrote that,

because of its corrupt nature, humanity was alienated from God.

However, he believed that a compromise could be gained through the

belief in Christ. To Sigmund Freud, alienation was self-estrangement

caused by the split between the conscious and unconscious parts of the

mind. In the 19th century Karl Marx gave an economic analysis of

alienation. He suggested that people were alienated from their own

labour; because they did not own their means of production their work

was appropriated ...

... middle of paper ...

... cause confusion with the points in that

they make.

Bibliography

* Albrow, M. (1999) Sociology the basics, London: Routledge

· Baldwin, et al. (1999) Introducing cultural studies , London:

Prentice Hall

· Bilton, et al. (1996) Introductory Sociology 3rd ed, London:

Macmillan press LTD

· Blauner, R. (1964) Alienation and freedom, Chicago: University of

Chicago Press

· Bottomore, T.B., Rubel, M.(eds) (1963) Karl Marx: Selected writings

in sociology and social philosophy, Penguin: Harmondsworth

* Calvert, C., Calvert, P. (1992) Sociology today, Hertfordshire:

Harvester Wheatsheaf

· Cohen, R., Kennedy, P. (2000) Global sociology, Bristol: Palgrave

* Haralambos, M., Holborn, M. (2000) Sociology themes and

perspectives 5th ed, London: Collins

* Lecture notes (2002-2003)