Durkheim wanted to demonstrate that the suicide rate provided

a measure of social pathology. According to Durkheim, anomie

and egoism resulted from the collapse of traditional
restraints, and thus their incidence could be used as an index
for social pathology. In his view, the rate of anomic suicide
measured alienation, whereas the rate of egoistic suicide
measured the decline of self-restraint. Altruistic suicide, on
the other hand, reflected socially sanctioned self-sacrifice.
Although the construct of altruistic suicide makes theoretical
sense, such acts (heroism) were never reported as suicides.
There could be almost no fatalistic suicides because Durkheim
claimed that “it has so little contemporary importance and
examples are so hard to find . . . that it seems useless to
dwell upon it.” As a result, subsequent studies ignored
fatalistic suicide.

Abstract:
Émile Durkheim's "Le Suicide: Étude de sociologie" (1897) is a
foundational text in the sociology of suicide, presenting a
sociological framework that views suicide as a socially
influenced phenomenon rather than purely an individual or
psychological issue. Durkheim identifies four types of suicide
—egoistic, altruistic, anomic, and fatalistic—each linked to
different levels of social integration and regulation.
Egoistic suicide results from a lack of social bonds, while
altruistic suicide is driven by excessive integration into a
group or cause. Anomic suicide arises from social instability
and norm breakdown, and fatalistic suicide stems from overly
oppressive conditions. Durkheim’s analysis demonstrates how
social structures and cultural contexts shape and influence
suicidal behaviour, highlighting the critical role of social
cohesion and regulation in understanding this complex issue.

Introduction:

Emile Durkheim's groundbreaking work "Suicide: A Study in

Sociology," published in 1897, remains a cornerstone in the
field of sociology, challenging prevailing psychological and
moralistic interpretations of suicide. Durkheim, a French
sociologist, sought to elevate suicide from a purely
individualistic phenomenon to a subject of scientific inquiry
rooted in social structures and dynamics. His aim was to
demonstrate that suicide rates could be understood and
predicted through systematic analysis of social factors rather
than personal motivations alone.
Durkheim's approach revolutionized sociological thought by
introducing a rigorous methodological framework. Central to
his analysis was the concept of social integration—the degree
to which individuals feel connected to larger social groups or
communities. He posited that variations in social integration
could lead to different types of suicide. For instance,
egoistic suicide arises from insufficient integration, where
individuals feel disconnected and isolated from society. In
contrast, altruistic suicide occurs when individuals are
excessively integrated into a collective, willingly
sacrificing their lives for the group's sake.

Moreover, Durkheim introduced the concept of anomie—a state of

normlessness or moral confusion resulting from rapid social
change or disruption. Anomie, he argued, could lead to
increased suicide rates as individuals struggle to navigate
societal upheaval and find stability in their lives. By
examining extensive statistical data from various European
societies, Durkheim demonstrated that suicide rates exhibited
patterns and correlations with changes in social integration
and anomie, thereby challenging deterministic views of suicide
as purely individual and random acts.

Durkheim's seminal study continues to resonate in contemporary

sociological theory and research. His emphasis on the social
origins of suicide has inspired subsequent generations of
scholars to explore how broader social structures and dynamics
influence individual behaviours and outcomes. Furthermore, his
methodological approach, grounded in empirical data and
systematic analysis, laid the foundation for the development
of quantitative sociology and remains influential in
understanding complex social phenomena beyond suicide alone.

In this research paper, we revisit Durkheim's theories on

suicide to critically evaluate their relevance in today's
society. By integrating recent empirical research and
theoretical developments, we aim to deepen our understanding
of the interplay between individual agency and social forces
in shaping patterns of suicide. This inquiry not only honours
Durkheim's intellectual legacy but also contributes to ongoing
discussions about mental health, social cohesion, and the
implications for suicide prevention strategies in contemporary
contexts.
Literature Review: Durkheim’s Influence on the Study of
Suicide

Article 1: "Learnings from Durkheim and Beyond: The Economy

and Suicide"

This article reexamines Durkheim’s work on suicide, focusing

on the relationship between economic factors and suicide
rates. It introduces a "real-income hypothesis" that considers
the nuanced effects of the economy on suicide and emphasizes
the interaction between economic conditions and sociological
factors. The study tests these hypotheses, refining and
expanding upon Durkheim’s original theories. The article
suggests the need to consider both economic and sociological
variables in understanding suicide. (Lester, 2005)

Article 2: "The Sociology of Suicide"

The second article provides a meticulous review of the

evolution of sociological research on suicide, categorizing it
into three historical periods: pre-Durkheim, Durkheim, and
post-Durkheim. The authors confidently assert a resurgence of
sociological interest in the 21st century, with a strong
emphasis on ethno-racial subgroups, individual-level
phenomena, and multidisciplinary approaches. They advocate for
an integrated approach that bridges individual and aggregate-
level studies, proposing an extension of Durkheim's theories
through a network perspective to understand the factors
contributing to suicide. (Pescosolido, 2011)

METHODOLOGY
The historical comparative method in sociology involves
analyzing and comparing social phenomena across different
historical contexts to identify patterns, causal
relationships, and underlying social mechanisms. Émile
Durkheim's Suicide (1897) is a seminal example of this
approach. Durkheim used this method to compare suicide rates
across various societies and historical periods, seeking to
understand how social integration and regulation influence the
incidence of suicide.

By examining data from different countries, religious groups,

and historical eras, Durkheim identified distinct types of
suicide (egoistic, altruistic, anomic, and fatalistic) and
linked them to specific social conditions. For instance, he
found that Protestant countries, which tended to emphasize
individualism, had higher suicide rates than Catholic ones,
which fostered stronger communal bonds. Through this
comparative analysis, Durkheim demonstrated that suicide is
not merely a personal act but is deeply rooted in the social
structures and historical contexts of the time.

Durkheim's use of the historical comparative method was

groundbreaking, as it allowed him to reveal the social causes
of suicide and establish sociology as a discipline focused on
understanding social facts through empirical analysis. His
work remains a cornerstone in the field, illustrating the
power of comparing historical and social contexts to uncover
the broader social forces shaping individual behaviour.

______________________________________________________________

The historical comparative method in sociology is a powerful

tool for analysing social phenomena across different times and
places to uncover patterns, causal relationships, and
underlying social structures. Émile Durkheim's study, Suicide
(1897), exemplifies how this method can provide deep insights
into social behavior.

Durkheim analyzed suicide rates across societies and argued

that it is a social fact influenced by societal integration
and regulation.

Durkheim also analyzed how changes in society over time

affected suicide rates, observing that periods of economic
upheaval, such as the Industrial Revolution, led to increased
rates of anomic suicide - suicides that occur when societal
norms are disrupted, leaving individuals feeling aimless and
disconnected.

Through his comparative and historical analysis, Durkheim

identified four types of suicide: egoistic, altruistic,
anomic, and fatalistic, all related to social integration and
regulation.

Durkheim's use of the historical-comparative method was

innovative and set a new standard for sociological research.
His work demonstrated that social structures play a critical
role in shaping individual behaviors, and his approach laid
the foundation for future sociological research, influencing
generations of sociologists to consider broader social and
historical contexts when studying social phenomena.

The research paper analyses the relationship between

socioeconomic factors and suicide rates using data from the
1990 U.S. Census. Key variables include real income levels,
unemployment rates, divorce rates, and religious adherence.
The study tests two main hypotheses:

Real-Income Hypothesis: Suggests a curvilinear relationship

between economic conditions and suicide rates, where both
extreme poverty and wealth may increase suicide risks.

Natural Rate of Suicide Hypothesis: Proposes that a baseline

rate of suicide exists in society, influenced by social
factors beyond economic conditions.

Multiple regression models are used to evaluate how these

factors interact, with findings indicating that both economic
and social variables play significant roles in determining
suicide rates. The results refine Durkheim's theories, showing
that while economic factors are important, social integration
remains a critical determinant of suicide.
Conclusion

The research reaffirms Durkheim's view that social integration

significantly impacts suicide rates, while also highlighting
the influence of economic factors. The study shows that both
social and economic variables are crucial in understanding the
complex causes of suicide, confirming the ongoing relevance of
Durkheim's theories.

Acknowledgement 1
Abstract 1
Contents 1
Introduction 2
Literature Review 2
Research Objectives 1
Research Methodology 2
Data Analysis
Conclusion 1
References 1

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