Assignments A and B
Natasha Oslinger
1-27-16
Assignment A:
Describe and compare the theories of Durkheim, Marx, and Weber.
Emile Durkheim-
Emile Durkheim recognised sociology as an academic discipline, and was acknowledged for exploring the relationship between traditional and modern societies. Durkheim believed society consisted of two social solidarities: mechanical solidarity, and organic solidarity. He also identified the two leading causes of anomie, and believed that society does not provide moral guidance to individuals. Durkheim believed that society was higher than just a group of individuals. He believed it to be something alive, sentient even, that existed separate from the people it affected. He saw patterns rooted in society that were more than just the lives and experiences of individuals. Durkheim thought it had power, and could shape, alter, and adapt our thoughts and actions, and the only way to change it was the expanding division of labor. Ultimately, Durkheim was worried about the path society found itself on, but remained hopeful for its future. He believed that the formation of large, impersonal societies enforcing laws and regulations against anomie would help to change society for the better.
Karl Marx-
Karl Marx believed that there was a dividing conflict against the bourgeoisie and the proletarians that ultimately shaped society and its social institutions. Marx identified a basic contradiction in our society, and this led to the idea of social conflict and the defining struggle between the social pillars of wealthy and poor. He argued that the economy was the truly leading institution that dominated the evolutionary social change. Marx distinguished a class conflict in the “engine” of human history that arose from the way material goods are produced. He believed capitalism alienated workers, and the only solution to the inequality between classes would result from a proletarian riot. Without a completely classless society, there would always be conflict between capitalists and workers.
Max Weber-
Max Weber’s approach to a successful society was through the developmental power of ideas. Weber didn’t believe the economy was the predominant force of social change, but rather social facts and the patterns of behaviors that characterize social groups into the reflection of society. He stressed the importance of power, and recognised a value free sociology. Weber thought protestant religious views were a central idea in the support of capitalism, and considered rationalism a key influence in the modernization of society. He thought that tradition was binding, and the only way to a free a preindustrial society was through rationality. Weber saw patterns that reflected the condition of society, and ultimately thought the only way to break free from antiquated traditions was to promote Calvinism and encourage change developing ideas.
In what ways are they similar or different?-
All three of these theorists are similar in the way that they saw their society as distinct and different from societies of past generations, but, each of them had different ideas on the shaping and creation of a more efficient consciousness. Marx was a conflict theorist, Weber a symbolic interactionist, and Durkheim a functionalist. Durkheim and Marx were macro theorists, while Weber was micro theorist. All of Marx’s ideas revolved around conflict, Durkheim around social elements, and Weber around ideas.
Does social class, race, and gender still influence the access to information and skills?-
Yes, social class, race, and gender (among other factors such as sexual orientation, religion, etc.) still influence one's access to information and skills. Social inequality is present in everyday institutions, and systematic oppression is ever present amid those who do not fall under the description of the “straight white wealthy male.” Women to this day earn less than a man for doing the same work, and the wage gap for women of color is considerably more drastic. The access to higher education is less available to the underprivileged. Injustice exists in present day society, and without the knowledge and ideas of sociologists, it could continue to favor those deemed more socially antiquated based on ideological beliefs.
Assignment B:
Alienation is the experience of isolation and misery resulting from powerlessness, and is used by Karl Marx to define workers dehumanized by their profession. Capitalists consider common workers as simple labors, dispensable at will. By being viewed as less than human, these workers become detached from their jobs, and the isolation often leads to the feeling of futility. In short, they become alienated from working, from the products of work, and from other workers.
Anomie-
Alienation-
Natasha Oslinger
1-27-16
Assignment A:
Describe and compare the theories of Durkheim, Marx, and Weber.
Emile Durkheim-
Emile Durkheim recognised sociology as an academic discipline, and was acknowledged for exploring the relationship between traditional and modern societies. Durkheim believed society consisted of two social solidarities: mechanical solidarity, and organic solidarity. He also identified the two leading causes of anomie, and believed that society does not provide moral guidance to individuals. Durkheim believed that society was higher than just a group of individuals. He believed it to be something alive, sentient even, that existed separate from the people it affected. He saw patterns rooted in society that were more than just the lives and experiences of individuals. Durkheim thought it had power, and could shape, alter, and adapt our thoughts and actions, and the only way to change it was the expanding division of labor. Ultimately, Durkheim was worried about the path society found itself on, but remained hopeful for its future. He believed that the formation of large, impersonal societies enforcing laws and regulations against anomie would help to change society for the better.
Karl Marx-
Karl Marx believed that there was a dividing conflict against the bourgeoisie and the proletarians that ultimately shaped society and its social institutions. Marx identified a basic contradiction in our society, and this led to the idea of social conflict and the defining struggle between the social pillars of wealthy and poor. He argued that the economy was the truly leading institution that dominated the evolutionary social change. Marx distinguished a class conflict in the “engine” of human history that arose from the way material goods are produced. He believed capitalism alienated workers, and the only solution to the inequality between classes would result from a proletarian riot. Without a completely classless society, there would always be conflict between capitalists and workers.
Max Weber-
Max Weber’s approach to a successful society was through the developmental power of ideas. Weber didn’t believe the economy was the predominant force of social change, but rather social facts and the patterns of behaviors that characterize social groups into the reflection of society. He stressed the importance of power, and recognised a value free sociology. Weber thought protestant religious views were a central idea in the support of capitalism, and considered rationalism a key influence in the modernization of society. He thought that tradition was binding, and the only way to a free a preindustrial society was through rationality. Weber saw patterns that reflected the condition of society, and ultimately thought the only way to break free from antiquated traditions was to promote Calvinism and encourage change developing ideas.
In what ways are they similar or different?-
All three of these theorists are similar in the way that they saw their society as distinct and different from societies of past generations, but, each of them had different ideas on the shaping and creation of a more efficient consciousness. Marx was a conflict theorist, Weber a symbolic interactionist, and Durkheim a functionalist. Durkheim and Marx were macro theorists, while Weber was micro theorist. All of Marx’s ideas revolved around conflict, Durkheim around social elements, and Weber around ideas.
Does social class, race, and gender still influence the access to information and skills?-
Yes, social class, race, and gender (among other factors such as sexual orientation, religion, etc.) still influence one's access to information and skills. Social inequality is present in everyday institutions, and systematic oppression is ever present amid those who do not fall under the description of the “straight white wealthy male.” Women to this day earn less than a man for doing the same work, and the wage gap for women of color is considerably more drastic. The access to higher education is less available to the underprivileged. Injustice exists in present day society, and without the knowledge and ideas of sociologists, it could continue to favor those deemed more socially antiquated based on ideological beliefs.
Assignment B:
- What is the definition of anomie and alienation, and what do these terms mean to you?
Alienation is the experience of isolation and misery resulting from powerlessness, and is used by Karl Marx to define workers dehumanized by their profession. Capitalists consider common workers as simple labors, dispensable at will. By being viewed as less than human, these workers become detached from their jobs, and the isolation often leads to the feeling of futility. In short, they become alienated from working, from the products of work, and from other workers.
- Provide three examples of anomie and alienation from your personal experiences.
Anomie-
- The use of everyday technology such as phones, computers, iPods etc. are preventing people from striking up casual conversation in an everyday setting. This is a very elementary example of anomie, and could even be seen as a form of alienation. The use of these personal devices is causing people to grow out of touch with the happening world around them, and leads the common person to focus unnecessarly on the digital world. There are also a lack of commonly adhered to set of norms in place for when it is appropriate to use these devices, i.e. while watching movie, while on dates, while in conversation with another.
- One of my favorite musical artist, Kurt Cobain, could be considered a victim to anomie. Cobain suffered severe depression and a tendency to self destructive behavior that was enabled by the “rock and roll” lifestyle he lived. The fame he developed led to the destruction of familiar routine, and in the end, the imbalance led to him committing suicide.
- Although I cannot say I have even fallen victim to anomie, I did have a friend who found herself disassociated from her friends, family, and ultimately from society because of a developed lack of morals. It all started when she was 14 years old, she received a lifetime ban from her mall for stealing lipstick and underwear from Victoria's Secret. When I asked her why she took such action despite having a financial situation that would enable her to purchase such items, she simply answered, “why not?” Her crime activity and feelings of worthlessness and alienation escalated in equal measure, she found crime as an outlet because she found no reason not to. As she grew distant, her view of established social values and rules receded, and she became a metaphorical casualty to anomie in society.
Alienation-
- A phrase I commonly hear at the end of the school year is, “wow, this year went by so fast!” I am currently in the second semester of my junior year of high school, and come the ending of the first term, I found that I myself had felt like the year had flown by. How had this huge chunk of time felt so short? I was unable to recall specific events that had happened only a few weeks earlier. The whole experience--the days, the weeks, the months--had all blended together into one long unaccountable and almost dismal event, and it ended as abruptly as it began. It wasn’t until its end that I realized I had been alienated by my routine. Every day I woke up at the same time, took a shower, put on clothes, went down stairs, had breakfast, drove to school, and took my classes all by the tick of a clock. Every day for weeks on end I did the exact same things at the exact same time every day. Because of the alienation induced by my daily experiences, I felt detached, and like time felt like it slipped by me.
- In a more micro view of my previous example, one particular experience that attracts my attention were my car rides home, specifically, the ride home I took from school every day of my tenth grade year. While sitting, completely silent, in the car next to my mom, I looked out the window and thought about how my car ride home yesterday had been identical. Every day I sat in the same place at the same time doing the same thing, and I felt like it had just been moments ago that I was taking the same drive the day previous. Although I did the same things almost every day, the car ride home particularly stood out to me. Once again, I had been alienated by the routine and normality of my everyday life.
- An example of alienation that hasn't directly affected me, but rather someone I know, revolves around a case of familial alienation. This friend isolates herself from her unaccepting family, she spends her days sulking in her room, trying to avoid their controlling expectations. They disregard the way she feels, and she frequently feels alienated by the people she should feel secure around.