Émile Durkheim

Social facts must be studied as things.

Education is the influence exercised by adult generations on those that are not yet mature.

The function of the State is to define the conditions under which society can best fulfill its task.

Collective sentiments are stronger than individual ones.

The soul is the organ of social life.

Anomie is the state of society where norms are unclear.

Mechanical solidarity binds individuals through similarity.

Organic solidarity arises from interdependence.

The sacred is that which is set apart and forbidden.

Society creates the individual.

To observe social facts, one must free oneself from preconceptions.

The family is the primary social group.

Moral rules are social facts.

Egoistic suicide occurs when integration is low.

Altruistic suicide stems from excessive integration.

Anomic suicide arises from deregulation.

Fatalistic suicide from excessive regulation.

Religion is the collective representation of society.

The totemic principle is society conceived of as outside itself.

Professional groups are essential for moral regulation.