Crisis, Critique and Therapy: Durkheim's moral individualism as Zeitdiagnose


Carlos Fabris, Heidelberg University

Émile Durkheim offers various analyses and normative propositions regarding the transformations experienced in the emergence of modernity, with particular emphasis on its moral dimension. Referring to these broad analyses of a specific period, the genre of "Zeitdiagnose" has recently emerged, especially in the German context. Although their focus is on the present, their discussions can be applied to the analysis of classical texts and their diagnoses. With reference to this literature, we try to explore theoretically the construction of Durkheims diagnoses in their dimensions of crisis, critique, and therapy from a perspective of moral sociology. Furthermore, it is possible to identify the potentialities and limitations of Durkheimian insights in the face of contemporary challenges. To this end, first, the central aspects of the literature on the diagnosis of time were organized, delimiting its elements and its relation to (classical) theory. Second, the different fronts of Durkheims theory were examined in order to understand his formulation of a diagnosis, especially concepts such as morality, pathology and normality, anomie and moral individualism. Third, contemporary debates were compared with the classical formulation, in the sense of an update of Durkheims theory. In this sense we combined a specific literature-oriented interpretation of his work with an in-depth theoretical analysis of the works related to the topic - as well as secondary literature -, in order to finally point out elements of a development of his ideas in contemporary discussions. It is argued that Durkheims diagnosis centers on the concept of moral individualism. This concept displays characteristics of diagnoses, such as generality, public orientation, and normativity. Various moral and ethical concepts from Durkheims work can be combined to construct a comprehensive interpretation of modernity as analyzed and experienced by the author. This text discusses the maintenance of solidarity through the sacredness of the autonomous person as a human ideal. Additionally, it argues that Durkheimian sociology has positive contributions to current discussions, particularly when some of its limitations are reinterpreted and actualized, as exemplified by Hans Joas analyses of sacralization (and its opposite, desacralization) and current postsecular discussions. In the theoretical analysis, we concluded that the centrality of the concept of moral ideal is crucial to link the different analyses of the author, to understand the crises, to justify his critique, and to offer new perspectives based on normative ideals. The erosion of communal solidarity and social bonds after greater social differentiation requires a new common ideal that can transcend the different local orientations with a broader reach in order to avoid anomie. Durkheim argues that moral individualism is the normal state for stabilizing modern society, rather than a pathological one. Many of Durkheims original insights remain valid in contemporary discussions, updated in relation to other theoretical traditions and new empirical evidence. Our goal is to contribute to the discussions of the Durkheim Research Cluster by providing a theoretical analysis of his work and concepts. Furthermore, we will offer a critical perspective on how his ideas can be updated in dialogue with current productions, particularly in the sociology of morality and Zeitdiagnose. In the context of the conference, the concept of shared futures addresses Durkheims dilemma of order and his discussions with conservative ideals and specters that haunted the Third French Republic. Revisiting the classics and their propositions can provide paths for contemplating shared ideals and lives when considering contemporary problems and possibilities.

Non-presenting author: Raquel Weiss, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

This paper will be presented at the following session: