Compare and contrast the methodology made use of by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber, in their, scientific study of society.

(1) Emile Durkheim is a positivist who is in favour of applying scientific method to sociological studies. This is clear from his study of suicide, totemism, social facts etc. which are based on empirical data and facts

whereas max weber is a non-positivist who claims that sociology should not go for scientific method. It is a social science unique in itself and should develop its own methodology rather than running to get status of science.

(2) Durkheim is giving a generalised theory of society considering that society has a life of its own and it is driven by conscience collective. He is using empirical data as facts and fitting them into his theory of society.

On the other hand weber considers reality to be so vast and dynamic that it cannot be explained by single theory. Therefore he constructs ideal type about essence of reality which acts as a guide to research. such ideal type can be amended according to need of research.

Thus Ideal type is a lower level abstraction than generalised theory of society given by Durkheim.

(3) Durkheim goes for classification of societies into simple and complex grounded on division of labour.

whereas weber makes ideal type of traditional and modern societies grounded on power and authority. eg: legal rational authority is driven by rules,

laws and regulations.

(4) Durkheim considers that subject matter of sociology is to study social facts which are universal, subjected to continuity, emergent in nature and constraining in character. He considers social facts as things and follow comparative analysis, so that scientific method can be applied.

contrary to this weber considers that social action is foundation to sociology as they are driven by moods, motivations, values etc which are subjective though the actions may be objective. Thus sociology goes for subjective understanding of objective realities.

(5) Durkheim follows explanatory approach ie. he is trying to explain what sociology is. He is engaged in praising collectivity and studying structures present in the society. Thus following structure - functionalist approach

while weber follows VERSTEHEN ie interpretation/ understanding approach. He tries to establish

a connectivity between nomothetic and idiographic enquiry in sociology.

(6) Durkheim goes for reductional analysis and employ cause-effect relationships. eg: Durkheim study on totemism extends the form of social cohesiveness present in primitive societies to all religions of world.

whereas weber considers the dynamic nature of social reality demands comprehensive analysis rather than qualitative, speculative, imaginative and assumption based theories. eg: He studies all religions separately constructing ideal types for relationship between economy and religion (Protestant ethics).

(7) Durkheim is involved in philosophical romanticism glorifying sociology by focusing only on social facts. weber being a rationalist & realist tries to establish a connectivity between theories and facts.

• thus weber feels that sociology should follow the spirit of science than methodology of science while Durkheim applies scientific method in sociology.