Emile Durkheim's Analysis of Suicide

Emile Durkheim, a prominent French sociologist known as the Father of Sociology, viewed sociology as a new empirical science to address philosophical questions. He emphasized the study of social facts, individualism, and moral authority within society. Durkheim's significant contributions include the sociological method and concepts like collective consciousness and structural functionalism. His classic study on suicide reveals its social dimensions, arguing that even this deeply personal act is influenced by societal factors. Durkheim insisted on a sociological explanation for suicide, analyzing it quantitatively despite limited data, thus establishing a framework for understanding its social context.