Durkhy Durk

Durkheim's analysis of the sociology is expressed in the Rules of Sociological Method, where he describes the common functionality of the social in all facets of life. Since birth, humans are socially conditioned to carryout functions the facilitate our daily existence (eat, sleep, learn, etc); however, as one gets older, an individual becomes more liberated from the means of self-determination.

Nevertheless, both expressed in Rules of Sociological Method and Division of Labor in the Society is the idea of the collective conscience, where there are common factors that people in society agree upon that in which substantiates the homogeneity of a community. Through his writing in the Elementary Forms of the Religious Life, Durkheim proposes the notion that with the inception of religion, societies and cultures formulate their own homogenous reality. By looking into primitive religions, Durkheim analyzes the function it has and the evolutionary process of both rituals and myth, developing in religious orders we see today.

Durkheim's writings are tangential and incoherent at times. I had issues trying to understand what he was writing because he doesn't elucidate to specific components and jumps around to other factors that constitute his arguments. Though I can somewhat understand why he analyzes primitive religions, I don't think the study of Aboriginal tribes conducting religious practices reflect the conditioning of those who practice religion today. There is an element of cultural relativism that is left out and universality can be an issue while examining a multifaceted element such as religion.

Further, solidarity is brought up in the Division of Labor, and though he proposes regulation in economics and morality, I think within the confines the institutionalization of division of labor, there can never be an "organic solidarity." Though it might reflect in non-human animals, the component of boredom and coercion will inevitably be resisted.