Emile Durkheim Individualism And The Intellectuals Analysis

Emile Durkheim was a multifaceted man whose ideologies covered various subjects. Durkheim used his own knowledge as well as information gathered from other sociological pioneers to better reiterate any points he was trying to convey. In Individualism and the Intellectuals, Durkheim starts by stating a concept that has gathered society as a whole. The idea of being transformed has divided the country at that particular time. Durkheim believes that it is a simple question of what being transformed is and as time has passed on, transformation in itself has become more generalized. Transformation in society has been a topic of discussion that has consumed many, and Durkheim is stating that many have passed the concept and have now transcended onto …show more content…
Individualism requires one to know what they exactly know. “This is why, when it comes to calling upon certain men to rally themselves to an opinion which is not their own, it is not enough, in order to convince them, to recall to them that commonplace of the banal rhetoric that society is not possible without mutual sacrifices and without a certain spirit of subordination.” (ED p. 50) Durkheim explains that individualism is not only revolutionary, it is also a set of beliefs that can solidify unity within the country. Religions exterior is superficial, according to Durkheim. Just because a religion has symbols, priests, or temples does not mean that someone is relegated any kind of authority. The beliefs and the practices combined forged a type of authority. Society cannot be coherent if there is not a relationship between intellectuals and the “moral community”. The belief that religion is an individualistic ethic relies upon rationality. Durkheim gives the example of Christianity as a religion and how it demonstrates internal faith, conviction of one’s self, and religiosity. One is taught that that is needed to be measured by …show more content…
It allowed for one to develop a more rational conception of individualism that is more freely thrown around in Durkheim’s day rather than in times before. Religion cannot be jeered without defiance that has some kind of repercussion. According to Durkheim, religion is the one thing that can bind us together, and a weakness cannot exist without inception of communal separation. Everyone is connected no matter what. If you were to contradict yourself and reject one, then you would need to reject yourself since we are all connected. An “organ” of life is the only instrument given in life that provides a channel to the "end".. What is the point in caring in a such a thing if the end is associated with it? Durkheim suggests. The concept that the belief of individualism is tied into the individual. “In reality, the religion of the individual was socially instituted, as well all know religions. It is society which fixes for us this ideal as the sole common goal which can rally our wills.” (ED p.54-55) Durkheim explains that all religions were socially constructed and the beliefs associated with them are