Durkheim
Durkheim propagates a study of society using methodology similar to that of physical natural sciences like physics and biology etc. Although he distinguishes sociology from other sciences like physics, chemistry or pathology, an calls it as the “science of association”, but emphasizes on the requirement to approach the subject matter of sociology in same manner as it is done in scientific domains like physics, chemistry or pathology. Furthermore, Durkheim distinguishes sociology also from other domains like Psychology and Philosophy. He says that sociology is concerned with the study or observation of external factors which are independent of actor and Psychology is concerned with psychological facts which are internal to individual. He distinguishes sociology from Philosophy by emphasizing on empirical nature of sociology.
Durkheim is of view that in order to be objective and scientific; a discipline must deals with “things” and not “ideas” or “concept”. He criticizes the social sciences of his time as for dealing more with ‘concept’ and ‘ideas’ in comparison of
…show more content…
The first prevails to the extent that "ideas and tendencies common to all members of the society are greater in number and intensity than those which pertain personally to each member. This solidarity can grow only in inverse ration to personality." In other words, mechanical solidarity prevails where individual differences are minimized and the members of society are much alike in their devotion to the common weal. "Solidarity which comes from likeness is at its maximum when the collective conscience completely envelops our whole conscience and coincides in all points with it." Organic solidarity, in contrast, develops out of differences, rather than likenesses, between individuals. It is a product of the division of labor. With increasing differentiation of functions in a society come increasing differences between its