Mechanical+and+Organic+Solidarity


 * “Mechanical and Organic Solidarity" **

**Summary ** As you might know, Durkheim’s concepts of mechanical and organic solidarity are withdrawn from his famous book entitled ‘The Division of Labour in Society’. Practically, he looks at the function of labor. Function might refer to “a system of living movements, divorced from their effects” or “the corresponding relationship existing between these movements and certain needs of the organism”. Solidarity, to an extent, refers to the integration of the society. Mechanical and organic, two different forms of solidarity, have differences in their foundation.  __Mechanical solidarity:__ small, traditional societies. Form of social cohesion based on the similarity of the members. There is little role of individual per se. Everyone shares the same experiences. Members aim to create and protect common collective consciousness. (Durkheim also bases his understanding of crime and punishment on his collective spirit).  __Organic solidarity:__ modern societies. Form of social cohesion based on the differences among the members. Members have different roles and experiences. The laws are about protecting the status quo of the division of labor. (Again, the crime and punishment understanding is based on this, therefore is different from mechanical solidarity communities.) (Well – there is a great table at Wikipedia! [] ) (Also, my favorite quote from the Division of Labor: “Everywhere that societies exist there is altruism because there is solidarity) **Discussion Points ** **1) **Now, especially after Tuesday’s discussion on interdisciplinary studies, what can we say about the solidarity within academia, especially within fields, sub-fields, and specific groups? Can Durkheim’s understanding of traditional/modern societies can help us in advancing academic research?  **2) **What is the relation between anomie and organic solidarity? **3) **How can we accept altruism and reject egotism in an organic solidarity? To what extent we can trust the power of morality(or other people’s moral values)?