Part I
Emile Durkheim
Emile Durkheim was born in France in 1858 into a Jewish family. It was assumed that he, like his father, would become a rabbi. His father, however, died before Durkheim was 20 and the young man was faced with many responsibilities. During this time, Durkheim began to believe that “effort and even sorrow are more conductive to the spiritual progress of the individual than pleasure or joy.” At this point in time, Durkheim’s religious faith had completely disappeared and he had
become much disciplined. In 1879, Durkheim won entrance to E’cole Normal Superievre in Paris, a highly competitive intellectual school. While attending there he was introduced to Jean Jaures, who later led the French Socialist Party. It was there that he developed an enjoyment for discussions of metaphysical and political issues. Upon passing all examination in 1882, Durkheim taught philosophy at secondary schools until 1902. It was at this time that Durkheim began writing some of his most important works that would influence a generation of scholars. During his time, Durkheim encounters many attacks from conservative philosophers who were frightened by the science of sociology. In the end he worked to construct a positive social science that would point an individual’s behavior towards greater
solidarity.
205 words
www.britannica.com/emiledurkheim
Emile Durkheim
Emile Durkheim was born in France in 1858 into a Jewish family. It was assumed that he, like his father, would become a rabbi. His father, however, died before Durkheim was 20 and the young man was faced with many responsibilities. During this time, Durkheim began to believe that “effort and even sorrow are more conductive to the spiritual progress of the individual than pleasure or joy.” At this point in time, Durkheim’s religious faith had completely disappeared and he had
become much disciplined. In 1879, Durkheim won entrance to E’cole Normal Superievre in Paris, a highly competitive intellectual school. While attending there he was introduced to Jean Jaures, who later led the French Socialist Party. It was there that he developed an enjoyment for discussions of metaphysical and political issues. Upon passing all examination in 1882, Durkheim taught philosophy at secondary schools until 1902. It was at this time that Durkheim began writing some of his most important works that would influence a generation of scholars. During his time, Durkheim encounters many attacks from conservative philosophers who were frightened by the science of sociology. In the end he worked to construct a positive social science that would point an individual’s behavior towards greater
solidarity.
205 words
www.britannica.com/emiledurkheim