An overview of Durkheim and Merton’s social anomie

Abstract

The goal of this study is to explain Emile Durkheim’s and Robert King Merton’s social anomie. Durkheim and Merton are the two prominent sociologists of functionalist tradition. American sociologist Merton is accepted as the successor of European Sociologist Durkheim in this tradition. Merton examines the works of Durkheim by accepting, criticizing, finding the gaps, and/or offering new thoughts/notions. Social anomie is one of the most well-known notions among them. Their introduction of social anomie into sociological knowledge has also become stepping stones for many contemporary researchers in literature. Social anomie was first mentioned and discussed in “Suicide” by Durkheim and in “Social Structure and Anomie” by Merton. In this regard, this study aims at tracing the influence of Durkheim on Merton in the explanation of social anomie. Finally, this paper sheds light on the social anomie from the perspective of these two philosophers and provides a thorough analysis of the concept.