The Rules of Sociological Method
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The Rules of Sociological Method (Template:Langx) is a book by Émile Durkheim, first published in 1895. It is recognized as being the direct result of Durkheim's own project of establishing sociology as a positivist social science.[1][2] Durkheim is seen as one of the fathers of sociology,[3] and this work, his manifesto of sociology.[4] Durkheim distinguishes sociology from other sciences and justifies his rationale.[1] Sociology is the science of social facts. Durkheim suggests two central theses, without which sociology would not be a science:
- It must have a specific object of study. Unlike philosophy or psychology, sociology's proper object of study are social facts.
- It must respect and apply a recognized objective scientific method, bringing it as close as possible to the other exact sciences. This method must at all cost avoid prejudice and subjective judgment.[5]
This book was one of the defining books for the new science of sociology.[6] Durkheim's argument that social sciences should be approached with the same rigorous scientific method as used in natural sciences was seen as revolutionary for the time.[6]
The Rules is seen as an important text in sociology and is a popular book on sociological theory courses. The book's meaning is still being debated by sociologists.[7][8]
Sociology as the study of social facts
Durkheim's concern is to establish sociology as a science.[1] Arguing for a place for sociology among other sciences, he wrote, "Sociology is, then, not an auxiliary of any other science; it is itself a distinct and autonomous science."[9] To give sociology a place in the academic world and to ensure that it is a legitimate science, it must have an object that is clear and distinct from philosophy or psychology. He argued, "There is in every society a certain group of phenomena which may be differentiated from those studied by the other natural sciences."[10]
With regards to social facts, Durkheim defined them as follows: Template:Quote
One of the book's challenges is in showing how individual and seemingly chaotic decisions are in fact a result of a larger, more structured system, the pattern being held together by "social facts".[3]
The definition of social facts illustrates the holistic paradigm in which Durkheim's social facts are defined by two main features: they are external to and coercive to individuals.[2] They not only represent behaviour but also the rules that govern behaviour and give it meaning.[11] Social facts have been not only accepted by, but have been adopted by society as rules to which they choose to follow.[4] Law, language, morality and marriage are all examples of ideals formed through individual thought that have manifested into these concrete institutions which we must now abide by.[12] Social facts can be constraining: if individuals do not do act as they dictate, they may face social penalties.[12] The binding nature of social facts is often implicit, because the rules of society are internalized by individuals in the process of education and socialization.[12]
Durkheim distinguished two types of social facts: normal social facts – which, within a society, occur regularly and most often – and pathological social facts – which are much less common.
Principles of sociology
According to Durkheim, sociologists, without preconceptions and prejudices, must study social facts as real, objective phenomena.[4] Durkheim wrote, "The first and most fundamental rule is: Consider social facts as things."[13] This implies that sociology must respect and apply a recognized objective, scientific method, bringing it as close as possible to the other exact sciences.[4] This method must at all cost avoid prejudice and subjective judgment.[4]
Furthermore Durkheim talks about social phenomena and how they must be studied. Durkheim wrote: Template:Quote
See also
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References
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External links
- The Rules of Sociological Method, Chapter 5
- Les règles de la méthode sociologique (1919) - French version in the Internet Archives
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