Emile Durkheim Essay

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Emile Durkheim Emile Durkheim is known as the “The Father of Sociology”. He played a crucial role in developing theories based on social facts and reality. His views merge reality and how society works. He played an important role as a sociologist in the development of structural functionalism and sociology as a whole. His intellect and contributions to sociology through major studies and writings, ensures his place in the history of social sciences. This is why I chose to discuss Durkheim’s life, his studies, theories and modern contributions to the study of society. Durkheim was born in France in April of 1858. His father, Moise Durkheim, was a rabbi and his mother, Melanie Durkheim, descended from a family of merchants. His Jewish family was devoted to the religious community. Moise Durkheim, his father and grandfather were all rabbis. Emile Durkheim was expected to follow the footsteps of the men in his family and become a rabbi as well. Early in his life, Durkheim studied the traditional Jewish ways and customs, but he was exposed to regular courses in secular schools. Although he participated in the Jewish confirmation, his interests waned. He became interested in other religions, especially Catholicism. Eventually, he chose to remove himself from religious endeavors. Durkheim proclaimed an agnostic view and involvement concerning religion. He did not forsake the heritage of his family but chose to study religion from a non-religious position. Intelligence and excellent grades earned Durkheim scholarly acceptance at the most prestigious schools in France. His high distinction made entry to the great French high schools easy. However, his goal was to be admitted to Ecole Normale Superievre. He tried three times before passing the rigorous admission exams. Durkheim knew this school as the starting point for education and exposure to

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