This document provides an overview of classical sociological theory developed during the 19th century. It discusses the key thinkers and factors that influenced the development of sociology as a discipline. Some of the major classical theorists covered include Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, Max Weber, and George Simmel. Durkheim's work on social facts, the division of labor in society, and the rules of sociological method are summarized as focusing on how social structures and cultural norms shape human behavior from the external. The document also discusses Durkheim's concept of mechanical and organic solidarity in primitive versus modern societies.

1. UNIT 2
CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY

2. CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGY
• Theories of great scope and ambition
• Created during sociology’s classical age in Europe ( early 1800-1900s).
• These theories were created during the classical age in France, England and Germany.

3. WHY FORMULATED?
All the intellectual fields are profoundly shaped by their social settings.
Social forces play a huge role in Development of Sociological theory.
•The
enlightenment
•Intellectual
forces and
the rise of
sociological
theory
• The growth
of science
• Religious
change
Political
revolutions
Industrial
and rise of
capitalism
feminism
Rise of
socialism

4. SOCIOLOGY AS A DISTINCTIVE
DISCIPLINE
The development of French sociology : 4 thinker – Alexis De Tocqueville,Claude Saint-
Simon, August comte and Emile Durkheim ( especially)
The development of German Sociology: Max weber,George Simmel ,Hegel,Karl Marx
The origins of British Sociology: Adam Smith, Herbert Spencer
Early Italian Sociology : Vilfredo Pareto, Talcott parsons
The Contemporary relevance of classical Sociological theory: Tiryakian

5. PROPOUNDED BY : CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGICAL
THEORY

6. • These are structuralists but each identifies a different force that structures economic activity
and outcomes.
Like Marx focus on the factory as the site of consumption and production;
Weber sees the rationalized state as structuring production and consumption( Society Is split
between owners and labourers ;
Durkheim’s ideas about occupations and the division of labor as structuring economic
activity;
George Simmel focused on works concerning sociological methodology. (qualitative analysis )

7. EMILE DURKHEIM( 1864-1917)
• Birth- France
• Was a teacher in at university of Boredeaux and Paris
• He had some major works which became a dominant force in development of sociology
• Major books:
• Division of labour in society( 1893)
• The rules of sociological methods(1895)
• The suicide ( 1897)
• Elementary forms of religious life( 1912)

8. • After he died ,his wife (Louis Depress) published his books :
• Sociology of education ( 1912)
• Sociology of Philosophy( 1924)
• Moral Education (1925)

9. IDEOLOGIES
• Main focus was on society and society to be studied scientifically
• For him society is made of Social facts that exceeds our intuitive understanding and
must be investigated through observations and measurements.
• Sociology should be oriented towards empirical research.

10. MAJOR WORK
•
Social structures and
cultural norms and values
that are external to and
coercive of ,actors: college
education, marriage
Social Facts
The Division of
Labour
Theory of
suicide Religion

11. SOCIAL FACTS
• The rules of sociological method (1895/1982) – book contained
• To separate it from philosophy –treat them as “things”.
• Outcome of the work of social institutions like family, religion, education and media and as
product of social policies ,laws, rules and norms.
• To separate from psychology – first it is experienced as an external constraint rather than an
internal drive; secondly, it is general throughout the society and is not attached to any
particular individual.
• Referred it as “sui generis”: unique.
• Language, smile – social facts

12. CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIAL FACTS
( ECGI)
• Externality – external to individual
• Constraint – to stop or will make you do it ( imagination/mind) –society is making you do it
• Generality - imagine family ( sub-division avoid) – in general study
• Independence – beyond individual’s will ( whether you accept or not it is present) similar to
external – like religion ( might force individual to accept that social fact)

13. TYPES OF SOCIAL FACTS
• Material (Institutional) - accepted – laws /legal codes, forms of technology, directly observe
( external to individuals and coercive over them)
• Structural morphological – ( Book – Division of labour)- empirically accessible material
social facts like population size ,density ,housing arrangements, dressing style
• Non –material ( noninstitutional)– least equally external to individuals and coercive to them
– morality, collective conscience, collective representations and social currents

14. STUDY OF SOCIAL FACTS (OCDE)
• Rules of observation – identify their manifestations –
• eg: reformative laws represent modern society; repressive laws represent traditional society
• Rules of classification – classes- broader class consider it like family not sub-types so that it
is easy to understand and make general laws
• Rules of distinction – difference between pathological and normal form – like in case of
religion – (Diwali) – it is for integration ( religion is for unity not for breaking )- things
exiting in society have function
• Rules of explanation- empirical investigation ,objectivity has to be their – make general laws

15. DIVISION OF LABOUR
• Book ( 1893)
• 1st Major work published
• Introduced anomie concept
• Not an economic concept but social – caste system
• ”in modern society where heterogeneity ,complexity and differentiation is found ,what holds the
society together?”
• Studies primitive society ---- Held together by – Mechanical solidarity based on likeness, norms and
values.
• D.O.L – Splitting of activities – specialization – interdependent
•

16. PRIMITIVE SOCIETY
Mechanical solidary (likeness)
MODERN
SOCIETY
Organic Solidarity
( based on differences)
I
I nterdependency increases
Low collective conscience
Increased individuality
DOL Maintains functional dependence
Binds the society

17. PRIMITIVE
SOCIETY(TRADI
TIONAL)
Individual
conscience =
societal
conscience : sati
system,caste
system
MODERN
SOCIETY
INDIVIDUAL
CONSCIENCE IS
NOT = SOCIETAL
“individual while
becoming autonomous
,comes to depend more
heavilY on society”

18. DOL AS A SOCIAL FACT
• Exists everywhere :eg family ,religion
• It is sui-generis : evolves with society ( mechanical – organic)
• Integrates people

19. ABNORMAL FORMS OF DOL
1. Anomic – not following norms
2. Inadequate organization ( not able to organize, over burden )
3. Forced DOL – CASTE SYSTEM , work you wanted to do but not given
Way ahead : to avoid it – make associations (can only guide -- about work)
This will resolve by forming professional associations which will implement ethical and moral
codes