Émile Durkheim - Fatos Sociais

Summary

In this video, the focus is on Émile Durkheim, a foundational figure in sociology, and his exploration of the relationship between individual autonomy and society. Durkheim introduces key concepts such as individual consciousness, collective consciousness, and social facts. He explains how social facts, like language, laws, and social roles, shape behavior and are imposed upon individuals, often through coercion. The process of socialization, where individuals internalize these collective norms, is also discussed. Durkheim’s ideas challenge the notion of individual freedom in the face of societal structures, leaving viewers to reflect on how much control they truly have over their actions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Durkheim is considered one of the founding figures of sociology as a scientific discipline, living from 1858 to 1917.
• 😀 Durkheim was the first professor of sociology and aimed to formalize and describe the methods of sociology as a science.
• 😀 Durkheim’s central question was about the autonomy of the individual and how they relate more closely to society, especially in the context of modern life and the Industrial Revolution.
• 😀 Durkheim introduced the concept of 'collective consciousness,' which is the shared beliefs and values that emerge from the interactions between individuals.
• 😀 Collective consciousness is not just a sum of individual consciousnesses but a new, distinct entity with unique characteristics.
• 😀 Social facts are behaviors, norms, and laws that exert pressure on individuals within a society, and they are central to sociology as a study.
• 😀 Social facts are external to the individual, meaning they exist independent of any one person, and everyone in society is subjected to them.
• 😀 Violating a social fact (like not following a social norm) results in social consequences, such as punishment or correction.
• 😀 Examples of social facts include money, language, social roles (e.g., teacher, student), and even architectural styles.
• 😀 Socialization is the process through which individuals learn the social facts of their group, often starting in childhood and continuing throughout life.

Q & A

Who is Émile Durkheim, and what is his significance in sociology?

Émile Durkheim was a foundational figure in the development of sociology as a scientific discipline. He was the first professor of sociology and his work was crucial in formalizing sociology as a field of study. Durkheim focused on how society influences individual behavior and how collective behaviors shape the structure of societies.

What is the main question Durkheim sought to answer through his work?

Durkheim sought to understand how individuals become more autonomous while simultaneously becoming more dependent on society. He examined this within the context of the development of modern life, including industrialization and the rise of individualism.

What is the difference between individual consciousness and collective consciousness according to Durkheim?

Individual consciousness refers to the personal thoughts, desires, and inclinations that make a person unique. Collective consciousness, however, emerges when individuals interact and form a shared set of values, norms, and beliefs that transcend any single individual’s experience. It is not simply a sum of individual consciousnesses, but a new, unique entity.

How does Durkheim define 'social facts'?

Social facts are the norms, values, and structures that exist outside of the individual but shape and influence individual behavior. They are coercive forces that exist independently of individuals, such as laws, customs, language, and roles within society.

What are the three characteristics of social facts?

The three characteristics of social facts are: 1) They exist external to the individual, 2) They exist independently of individual actions, and 3) They exert coercive power over individuals, meaning that non-compliance with them results in social punishment or correction.

Can you provide an example of a social fact?

One example of a social fact is the use of money. Money is a system that exists independently of any single individual, and if someone tries to use counterfeit money, society imposes a corrective action, like rejecting the fake bill. This illustrates how social facts enforce societal norms and behaviors.

What role does socialization play in Durkheim’s theory?

Socialization is the process by which individuals internalize social facts and become integrated into a social group. It is through socialization that individuals learn the norms, values, and behaviors that are expected in society, thereby transforming from being dominated by individual consciousness to being influenced by collective consciousness.

How does Durkheim view the relationship between individual freedom and societal norms?

Durkheim suggests that while individuals may think they are free, their actions are largely shaped by societal norms and collective consciousness. He argues that our freedom is constrained by the social facts that we internalize, which dictate acceptable behavior within society.

What happens when an individual resists social facts, according to Durkheim?

When an individual resists social facts, they experience the coercive power of society. They may face punishment or correction, which reinforces the adherence to societal norms and values. The punishment is a reflection of society's need to maintain order and cohesion.

How does Durkheim’s theory apply to the socialization of children?

Durkheim’s theory applies to children through the process of socialization. Children begin life with an individual consciousness and gradually learn the collective consciousness of their family, school, and society. As they grow, they internalize societal norms, which diminishes their individual consciousness and makes them more aligned with the collective consciousness of their social group.