Emile Durkheim

Definition

Emile Durkheim was a French sociologist who is considered one of the founding fathers of sociology. He established the academic discipline and, with his major works, laid the foundations for functionalism and the study of social norms, integration, and anomie.

Related terms

Functionalism:

A theoretical perspective in sociology that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.

Social norms: Rules or expectations for behavior within a society that guide individuals' actions and interactions.

Anomie:

A state of normlessness or lack of social regulation in a society that results from the breakdown of social bonds between an individual and their community