Possible+Durkheim+Essays

== In Haiti an estimated 230,000 people have died since last month’s earthquake. Additionally, much of the infrastructure has been destroyed. Using Durkheim’s theory, explain what kind of solidarity would we expect to see come out of this situation and why (p.86-87)? ==

== In Haiti an estimated 230,000 people have died since last month’s earthquake. Additionally, much of the infrastructure has been destroyed. Using Durkheim’s theory, explain what kind of suicidal behavior we would expect to see come out of this situation and why (p. 95-97)? ==

For Durkheim, what is the problem of modernity(p.90-94)? Give a concrete, modern example of the problem of modernity in the US today.
Jessie Schiffer 2/15/10

The problem of modernity starts with the question, if people are interacting in different situations with different people to achieve different goals, then how can we ever come to a single, united identity? We see that we create particularized cultures as we tend towards individual fulfillment, which in turn threatens the collective consciousness (the totality of ideas/representations/beliefs/feelings that are common to average members of society). As we continue to internalize the individual culture of our groups, we undergo social differentiation. We share fewer and fewer elements of the collective consciousness. Social integration decreases along with a united social identity. This is all instigated by the increase in division of labor. While there are problems of integration, there are also social factors that come into play to serve as a counterbalance. Durkheim says to proceed with caution, however, as these social factors can also cause problems. There are four factors that ultimately describe what is called organic solidarity; intermediary groups, culture generalization, restitutive law and centralization of power, and structure interdependency. If these four factors fail to “sufficiently link” society, then the social pathologies Durkheim warned about will arise. There are two such pathologies, anomie and the forced division of labor. Anomie occurs when there is too much differentiation too quickly coupled with a lack of linkage among intermediary groups. The forced division of labor occurs when the division is no longer spontaneous, but instead becomes regulated and dysfunctional. An example of the problem of modernity today would be gangs. Members of a gang have joined an intermediary group, which would be a step towards organic solidarity, but instead have ended up in a state of anomie. They have “insufficient normative regulation” that would come from interaction and communication with the larger part of society. As such, they often disobey the rules that society requires adherence to, for example refraining from violence.

How does organic solidarity address the problem of modernity (p.90-94)? Give a concrete, modern example of how organic solidarity has addressed a modern problem of modernity in the US today.
Fiona Holly and Casey Barnett 2/15/10

problem of __modernity__-(weakening of __collective conscious__ -common beliefs, sentiments that guide and bind a social group ) ---> //social differentiation//-(diversity and development of subgroups within society) ---> __organic solidarity__-(the inter workings of group formation, cultural generalization, restitutive law, and centralization of power, and structural interdependency) helps solve the problem of modernity
 * Social Solidarity**-(degree of social integration, unity within society)

Example: __Christian prayer in public schools__ ---> creates division of among students because it excludes students of other faiths. --->__silent prayer__---> substituted for Christian prayer which opens participation for all faiths which reduces division and strengthens collective conscious This is an example of cultural generalization. The diversity of students of different faiths can cause divisions. When a prayer of a specific religion is chosen this can further separation.. When the prayer is made more general and open (moment of silence) it can include all students. This increases the degree of unity and helps the collective conscious.

The news has repeatedly stated that the New Orleans Saints are an important part of the revival of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Why would Durkheim agree with this sentiment (p. 84)?
Cameron McMillan Jack White

· Durkheim views humanity as intrinsically selfish/individualistic · Also believes that humans are linked unconsciously emotionally · There are three principles of unity/interactions 1. Co-presence § Degree of physical closeness 2. Common emotional mood § Degree of some feeling felt about event 3. Common focus of attention § Degree of participants attending to some object/symbol/idea at same time · These emotional energies are created by interactions o High level emotional energy o The whole becomes greater than the sum of parts § Greater sense outside the individual o Begin to symbolize emotional energy § __Rituals__ – Patterned behaviors designed to replicate interaction elements § Allows people to focus attention and recall collective emotion stability <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">§ Helps create norms and values

<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· New Orleans Saints <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msolist: Ignore;">1. Co-presence <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">§ Stadium/gathering to support the team <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msolist: Ignore;">2. Common emotional mood <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">§ Unified cheering and pride in the team <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msolist: Ignore;">3. Common focus of attention <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">§ Dedication to the team, it is all focused on the players/team success <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· High levels of emotional energy <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Collective spirit <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o Leads to symbolization <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">§ Saints logo/gear etc… <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">§ Rituals/norms through supporting the team <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">§ Begin to reenact through season tickets/tailgating/etc… <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Revival of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o New pride and sense of value <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o Experience emotional energy and restoration <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">§ Overcome adversity

*Unity promoting New Orleans as a people to overcome Katrina through emotional energy promoting newfound faith and hope in opportunity.*