Durkheim's social theory with special reference to the position of the individual in society

Abstract

This thesis is concerned not so much with Durkheim's contributions to the methodology of the social sciences as with his discussions, scattered throughout a number of monographs and papers, on the position of the individual in complex societies. Because of his moral outlook, Durkheim opposed Individualism, believing discipline essential to man's happiness, and security only possible only under the supreme moral authority - society. Considering the individual therefore, Durkheim saw his malaise not as a result of increasing social restrictions, but as a sympton of insufficient contact with society. Throughout his study of social institutions this point is constantly reiterated. A man is insufficiently absorbed into his society, and is thus deprived of moral stability. The individual's maladjustment in advanced societies must be solved then by re-establishing his close contact with society. This cannot be done through institutions like religion and the family which are weakening, nor through the state since it is too remote from everyday activity - the economic group alone remains. Durkheim's analysis, then, points to the necessity for tightening social bonds, and to his proposal to revive professional groups, through which he hopes to re-establish for the individual the vital moral discipline of society. But his proposals would meet with difficulty; to recover group-consciousness by returning to simpler organisations is impossible, to recover it under existing social conditions difficult. Attempted through education, it means the inculcation of "group-idealism" by teachers not feeling it themselve, nor would professional groups in large-scale industries afford the individual member much individual contact. Moreover the problem is heightened by the sharp distinction felt by legal and social constraint. On the whole, Durkheim's suggestions would be nullified by those difficulties they are designed to remove, in spite of the fact his consideration of the individual's position is interesting and valuable.