On Suicide

It is a remarkable intellectual exercise which was unprecedented in its attempt to study a social phenomenon in a social setting. Émile Durkheim is considered to be a pioneer of sociological method and a leading role in the establishment of sociology as an academic discipline in France.

Durkheim’s work changed the entire perspective of studying and understanding suicides. He was the first person to throw light on the social factors which forced individuals to commit suicide. Before his work suicide was understood to be a consequence of madness or caused by factors which concerned the individual victim alone. Durkheim on the other hand categorises suicides into 4 broad headings i.e.- Egotistic Suicide, Altruistic Suicide, Anomie suicides and Fatalistic Suicide.

Durkheim supports his observations which extensive empirical data which give a glimpse of his times. His observation of suicides amongst different sexes, religions, religious sects, classes etc, are not always be accurate but do nevertheless make for an interesting read.

Durkheim’s work remains a relevant eye-opening book for the present times especially when suicides, across the globe, continue to be perceived as a consequence of individual weakness, cowardice or madness. His work is referred in criminology for it provides for important perspectives which must be considered during formulation of laws and policies dealing with suicide.