Émile Durkheim: fatos sociais - Brasil Escola

Summary

In this lecture, Professor João Gabriel explores Émile Durkheim's theory of social facts, a cornerstone in sociology. Durkheim defines sociology as the study of observable, measurable phenomena that exist outside of individual experiences, such as societal institutions and norms. He explains that social facts are external, coercive, and general, influencing behavior across societies. Durkheim advocates for an objective, empirical approach to studying these facts, similar to the methods of the natural sciences. The lecture offers a clear introduction to Durkheim's view on the formation, characteristics, and role of social facts in society.

Takeaways

• 😀 Emile Durkheim is a central figure in sociology, known for his theory of social facts, which are observable, measurable phenomena in society.
• 😀 Durkheim's work is influenced by the natural sciences, particularly biology and positivism, which emphasize objective study and the idea of neutral research.
• 😀 Social facts are phenomena that exist outside of the individual, before they are born, and independent of individual actions or consciousness.
• 😀 The key characteristics of social facts are: externality (they exist before individuals), coercivity (they enforce social norms), and generality (they are present in various societies).
• 😀 Durkheim believed sociology should study the concrete realities of society, such as institutions, rather than abstract ideas or philosophical notions.
• 😀 The most important sociological work by Durkheim is 'The Rules of Sociological Method,' where he establishes the foundations of sociological research and methods.
• 😀 Durkheim's definition of sociology: it is the science of social facts, which include institutions like family, education, and religion, and how they shape society.
• 😀 Durkheim argued that sociology must focus on observable phenomena rather than individual opinions or experiences, aiming for a more scientific approach.
• 😀 Durkheim emphasized that social facts impose coercion upon individuals, meaning that societal norms and laws are forceful and must be followed to avoid punishment.
• 😀 According to Durkheim, social facts are general, meaning they exist across multiple societies and can be studied through statistical methods, like the example of his work on suicide.

Q & A

What is the main topic of this sociology lesson?

The main topic of this lesson is the theory of social facts, as proposed by Émile Durkheim.

Why is Émile Durkheim considered an important figure in sociology?

Durkheim is considered a key figure because he helped establish sociology as an independent science with its own methods and object of study, differentiating it from philosophy.

What is the most important work of Durkheim in sociology?

Durkheim's most important work is 'The Rules of Sociological Method,' published in 1895, which serves as a foundational text for understanding sociological research methods.

How does Durkheim define sociology?

Durkheim defines sociology as the science of social facts, which are phenomena that are observable and concrete, existing independently of individual consciousness.

What are the three main characteristics of social facts, according to Durkheim?

The three main characteristics of social facts are: 1) Exteriority or anteriority (they exist before individuals), 2) Coercivity (they exert pressure on individuals), and 3) Generality (they are present across various societies).

What does Durkheim mean by 'treating social facts as things'?

Durkheim means that social facts should be studied objectively, without personal bias or preconceived notions, as one would study physical phenomena in the natural sciences.

Why does Durkheim emphasize the study of institutions in society?

Durkheim emphasizes studying institutions like family, education, and religion because they are key elements in socialization, shaping the behaviors, norms, and rules that govern society.

How does Durkheim's view of social facts differ from philosophical approaches?

Unlike philosophy, which deals with abstract ideas, Durkheim's sociology focuses on concrete, observable phenomena that can be measured and studied objectively.

What role do statistics play in Durkheim's sociological research?

Durkheim heavily relied on statistics to quantify social facts and demonstrate their universality and concreteness, such as in his study of suicide.

What is the concept of 'collective consciousness' in Durkheim's theory?

Collective consciousness refers to the shared norms, values, and beliefs that bind members of society together, forming the moral framework that guides individual behavior.