Durkheim argues that the suicide rate is a social factor that can be interpreted as an indicator for social solidarity within a society (Bearman, 1991). Twenty-one well known TV celebrities have committed suicide over the past decade (NY Post, 2016). These were the individuals who we saw everyday and felt as we were truly a part of their lives. From watching great acing in Batman by Heath Leger, to enjoying a soul touching voice from Amy Winehouse. As outsiders whenever we look at these celebrities we wonder, why would they commit suicide? They have everything that any individual would want, from fast cars to riches. Durkheim discusses suicide and the four different types of suicide (Durkheim, 1951)), however specifically to this topic on celebrities
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Anomic in the sense that they have so much wealth and influence on society that they do not know what to do and therefore become directionless. Durkheim asks the question that why must human desires be limited (Durkheim, 1951). He answers this by saying frustrated desires like not being able to achieve them lead to feelings of pain. However in the case of celebrities it is the opposite. They are able to achieve most of their desires, which leaves them blinded, and lose the value in a lot of things, including life. Durkheim further answers the question on what causes anomic suicide. He says that anomic suicide attacks someone when there is a rapid change in their personal situation, which could either, is negative or positive (Durkheim, 1951). When this rapid change occurs and the individual is ill adapted to their new circumstances than they are more likely to become directionless and isolated, which ties into egoistic suicide. Egoistic suicide can be further tied into a result of a lack of moral authority. Durkheim describes moral authority is important as it is a power that sets limits that people think are fair, (Veugelers, March 21). If individuals are not controlled by fair limits than people become disorientated and want too much. When we have no authority, we are vulnerable to suicide. E.g. people need moral authority to hold them
Anomic in the sense that they have so much wealth and influence on society that they do not know what to do and therefore become directionless. Durkheim asks the question that why must human desires be limited (Durkheim, 1951). He answers this by saying frustrated desires like not being able to achieve them lead to feelings of pain. However in the case of celebrities it is the opposite. They are able to achieve most of their desires, which leaves them blinded, and lose the value in a lot of things, including life. Durkheim further answers the question on what causes anomic suicide. He says that anomic suicide attacks someone when there is a rapid change in their personal situation, which could either, is negative or positive (Durkheim, 1951). When this rapid change occurs and the individual is ill adapted to their new circumstances than they are more likely to become directionless and isolated, which ties into egoistic suicide. Egoistic suicide can be further tied into a result of a lack of moral authority. Durkheim describes moral authority is important as it is a power that sets limits that people think are fair, (Veugelers, March 21). If individuals are not controlled by fair limits than people become disorientated and want too much. When we have no authority, we are vulnerable to suicide. E.g. people need moral authority to hold them