Basic Forms of Religious Life - Durkheim's Collected Works (Volume 1)

Author: Emile Durkheim
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: Emile Durkheim is one of the three founding figures of sociology, alongside Marx and Weber, and one of the rare synthesizers in the field of humanities and social sciences in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This book draws heavily on anthropological materials to discuss the fundamental principles and propositions of the constitution of religious life starting from the totemic system. It is considered one of Durkheim's most masterful works and the most representative document of his sociological thought orientation. Additionally, the book reflects the main shift in Durkheim's late thought, which is his attempt to construct moral individualism using social determinism. Several chapters in the book are regarded as exemplary models for the study of sociology of knowledge. This volume is a standalone work titled The Elementary Forms of Religious Life. The book cites a large amount of anthropological material to discuss the fundamental principles and propositions of the constitution of religious life starting from the totemic system. It is considered one of Durkheim's most masterful works and the most representative document of his sociological thought orientation. Furthermore, the book reflects an important shift in Durkheim's late thought, which is his attempt to construct moral individualism using social determinism. Chapters 7 of the second volume and the conclusion are widely recognized as classic models for the study of sociology of knowledge.