Durkheim (Émile Durkheim)

Émile Durkheim was a pioneering sociologist who studied how society functions and maintains stability. He believed that social structures, such as institutions, norms, and shared values, shape individual behavior and promote collective cohesion. Durkheim emphasized the importance of understanding society as a whole, rather than just individual actions, and introduced concepts like social facts—external forces that influence us. His work helped establish sociology as a scientific discipline, highlighting how social bonds and collective consciousness keep society organized and functioning smoothly.