Durkheim's Work in Sociology

Durkheim's Work in Sociology

"Some studies maybe more recent, but Durkheim's work remains the most

significant Sociological analysis of Suicide in modern societies"

Assess the extent to which Sociological arguments and evidence support

this claim.

In regards to Suicide it would seem perhaps more realistic to consider

the subject as an individual and personal act, a job which might seem

more suitable for Psychologists to explain, it may not seem an obvious

subject for a Sociologist to study. In the past it has been more

commonly thought that Suicide was a result of a person's mental state,

however suicide was given an all new perspective once Durkheim in 1897

used Positivist methods to study the subject. Durkheim chose this

subject in attempts to illustrate the potential of society to help

understand complex social processes. Since this time other

Socioligists have followed in Durkheim's footsteps in the study of

suicide but it is questionable whether or not other Socioligists have

made quite an impact as he did.

In Durkheim's work 'Suicide: A study in Sociology' he used statistics

from varying European countries to compare the suicide rate, Durkheim

referred to these statistics as 'Social Facts'. He found consistency

in the suicide rate in particular societies in particular times, thus

making him sure that the statistics could be used as strong evidence

in which to find trends and patterns. Durkheim himself said "The

suicide rate is therefore a factual order, unified and definite, as is

shown by both its permanence and it's variability". The trends that

Durkheim found in these statitics and social facts were such as that

...

... middle of paper ...

... types of

suicide, it is not so easy to pigeon hole somebody like that

especially in regards to such a serious topic. A suicide may fall into

more than one of these categories, For example, Bobby Sands (IRA

hunger striker) falls into all 4 categories. Where does the point of

balance fall? Although argued that Durkheim's study is dated,

Sainsbury used some of Durkheim's methods and theories in his own

study. By using a combination of both qualitative and quantitative

methods Sainsbury identified several Social Factors and emphasized the

effect of Social Integration. Therefore, although dated by todays

standards Durkheim's ideas still hold relevance and significance in

todays society, but still, in order to use Durkheim's ideas

effectively then the problems in his theories must be solved as

Sainsbury attempted to do.