Theories of Comte and Durkheim Concern with Social Order - Essay Example

Comte and Durkheim Concern with Social Order Auguste Comte (1798–1857) Comte was a great philosopher and founder of positivism and the branch of sociology. The concept of positive philosophy was developed by this great thinker, the purpose of which was to provide relief to masses who were disturbed by the French revolution. He is also remembered for being the first person to apply the scientific method to the social world. He put forward his studies and law for the reconstruction of the society. According to him, without the deep scientific knowledge how society operates, we cannot construct a better society. However, His studies were an extension of the French philosophers Enlightment view theory (Weber, 2000). His major contributions are: System of positive polity (1851-1854) Positive Philosophy (1830-1842) Religion of Humanity (1856) His contributions can also be divided into four major parts: Classification of social sciences. The nature and method of sociology. The law of three phases Plan for social reconstruction. Positivism. Social statics and dynamics They are the pillars of comte’s study to bring social stability. They are the two aspects of a theory and correlative to each other. Dynamics (process of evolution) can only be occur in society when the society in stable or equilibrium (static) phase. Comte does not place individual as the base of society. According to his studies, base of a society is family. Families become tribes and tribe nations or all other elements of society build upon family element. Family makes a man adoptable to the society he lives and responsible and a functioning member of his surroundings. He says binding forces and key factors for the stability of society are language, division of labor and religion. Without knowing language, you won’t be able to communicate and share knowledge to each other and in society. Religion binds and stabilizes the society by some common beliefs. He says religion acts as positive guide. And division of labor keeps the chain intact in society on the basis of similarity of class (Comte & Lenzer, 1998). The relation and interaction of family element with the rest of society explains Comte’s theory of labor division. They are correlative and interdependent to each other it helps in holding together the social structure firmly. His studies states that everyone has his own roles to play in a society such as husband is dependant upon his wife for his needs and it binds them together in a society. Division of labor explains and creates interdependency and social control. Social law of dynamics transforms man towards progress and development in society. As comte’s law of three phases. He presented ‘law of three phases’ and according to him, Society and human development has gone through three phases: Theological (fictitious) Metaphysical (Abstract) Scientific (positive) Law of three stages: He was inspired by R. J. Turgot, Saint-Simon and Y. B.Vico and borrowed the idea of this law from them. According to his law, human brain, communities and world history has gone through a process through three phases for its evolution and development. The theological stage is consumed by a search for the necessary things of life, and people used to believe that all the things have been created by god and supernatural forces. Second is Monotheism stage and it results in ultimate belief of the theological stage. Stage in which supernatural forces are replaced by mysterious forces as the powers that explain the workings of the world is metaphysical stage. It is the last and highest stage as stated by Comte. According to Comte, positivism can overcome and replace the negativism. At that time, in the consequences of French Revolution (1789) most of the Western Europe was facing political and moral disorder. He presented the idea of positivism because he thought that it would bring order, positivity and progress to the European crisis of ideas. Émile Durkheim Emile Durkheim is recognized as father of sociology. He gave the concept of modern social sciences. His major work was “De la division du travail social" which literally means ‘labor division in a society’. In this book, he presented the concept of “anomie” including The Rules of Sociological Method, Suicide: A Study in Sociology, and The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life (Appelrouth & Edles, 2008). In his book, he describes the relationship between a man and his society and extended the theory or thought of division of labor as the idea and studies regarding this, was proposed by many other scientists (Durkheim & Coser, 1997). As Pluto says: “How will our state supply these needs? It will need a farmer, a builder, and a weaver, and also, I think a shoemaker and one or two others to provide for our bodily needs. So that the minimum state would consist of four or five men” (Hatch, 2011) David Humein says: By the conjunction of forces, our power is improved: By the partition of employments, our ability increases: ’Tis by this additional force and ability our society becomes advantageous. (Hume, 1757) Whereas, Karl Marx presented theories on the distinction between economic and division of labor. He discusses that increase in specialize of an individual can lead to poorer skills overall in a society. Mechanical and organic solidarity It was introduced by Emile Durkheim. Solidarity binds people together in a particular society. He says defines two types of solidarity: Mechanical solidarity. Organic solidarity. Mechanical solidarity is the social connection between members of a society who share common beliefs, moral values and ethics. In his opinion, in mechanical solidarity, members lack individuality of their own and their personalities merge into same type of environment or society. It can be formed only when people and personalities are submerged collectively into each other. They are connected to each other only by their beliefs and nothing else. He says this type of a society resembles a horde. In his prospective, this kind of society cannot be prosper and developed. As society develops it give birth to organic solidarity. It originates from division of labor. Organic solidarity is social need of individual for one another’s services and that need linked a person to person in a society. He argues that society reforms by different functions united by specific relationships. Each and every person must have a job that should be according to his personality and skill to transform society into a better one or to make it grow better. The individuals cannot replace each other then and therefore, strong connection between them takes place which binds them together and creates responsibility and pronounced moral character in them. Organic solidarity is possible only when the individuals of a society are different from each other and in this type of society, division of labor arises. That kind of society becomes stronger with the people with specialized skills. He says that in a better society, there is greater division of labor. It regulates relations between different groups and people by imposing laws often. He says division of labor is beneficial because it improves the skills of working people and reproductive capacity. However, both the sociologists worked for the betterment of human being and for the society. Both theories were put forward to reform and bring positivity to the society. Sources: Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Comte, A., & Lenzer, G. (1998). Auguste Comte and positivism: The essential writings. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers.p-390 Durkheim, E., & Coser, L. A. (1997). The division of labor in society. Free Press. Hatch, M. J. (2011). Organizations: A very short introduction. New York: Oxford University Press.p-29 Hume, D. (1757). Four dissertations. I. The natural history of religion. II. Of the passions. III. Of tragedy. IV. Of the standard of taste. By David Hume, esq. London: Printed for A. Millar.p 254 Weber, A. S. (2000). Nineteenth century science: A selection of original texts ; [an anthology]. Peterborough, Ont. [u.a.: Broadview Press. P-203 Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Read More