Durkhiem on Social Solidarity

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Durkhiem on Social Solidarity
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Last time

• Two collective achievements
• SOCI 3220
• Traffic
• Durkheims question how can we explain social
  order?

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Division of Labor

• Classic Issue
• Adam Smith efficiency through specialization
  (capitalism).
• Karl Marx exploitation through specialization
  (capitalism).
• Durkheim different approach
• Arises with social density (capitalism or
  socialism)
• Its a puzzle it cant be simply contractual.
  There must be non-utilitarian foundation.

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Division of Labor

• Q. How can society possibly function?
• A. solidarity derived from the collective
  conscience.
• Collective Conscience?
• The body of beliefs and sentiments common to
  members of society.

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Types of social solidarity

• Small scale society
• Limited DOL
• Few individual dif.s
• Same emotions and values
• Group dominates individual
• functional independence
• Mechanical Solidarity

• Complex society
• Extensive DOL
• individual dif.s
• Freedom of belief conscience.
• Weak collective conscience.
• functional interdependence.
• Organic Solidarity

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Types of religion

• Small scale society
• Mechanical Solidarity
• Immanent Gods
• In-group/out-group morality

• Complex society
• Organic Solidarity
• Transcendent God.
• Universalistic morality.

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Reflection theories of religion

• Marx
• Religion reflects society.
• Durkheim
• Religion reflects society.

• Religion was irrelevant or an impediment.
• Religion or some other form of collective
  conscience was essential for society to function.