Social Theorists – Karl Mark and Emile Durkheim

Social Theorists – Karl Mark and Emile Durkheim
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February 21, 2023
Understanding the differences between philosophical theories in relation to the personal circumstances of these paradigms is essential for anyone. It allows him to appreciate better how a person's experiences, external circumstances, and theories are formed by interacting with these internal and external factors. Accordingly, this article will focus on understanding the similarities and differences between Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim, considered fathers of Sociology. In the succeeding sections of this article, the author will initially discuss their lives and upbringing. Subsequently, a summary and comparison of their theories will be discussed in detail. Overall, the author believes these deep analyses are essential for a better grasp of the relationship between personal experience and philosophical thinking patterns. 
 
The Lives of Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim
Karl Marx
Karl Marx was a German philosopher, economist, and sociologist born in 1818 in Trier, a town in the Rhineland region of Germany. Several historical and social events influenced Marx's work during his lifetime. One of the main factors that influenced Marx's thinking was the Industrial Revolution (Rühle, 2013). Germany was rapidly industrializing during the 19th century, and Marx was critical of the working conditions of the laborers, who he believed were being exploited by the capitalist system. Marx believed that the capitalist system was based on exploiting the working class and that workers should be able to control the means of production to ensure their economic well-being.
Another factor that influenced Marx's thinking was the political climate in Europe during the mid-19th century. Marx actively participated in the socialist movement related to the rising revolutionary movements in Europe (specifically, France) during those eras (Rühle, 2013). 
Emile Durkheim
In contrast, Emile Durkheim was a French sociologist born in 1858 in the Lorraine region of France. Like Marx's development as thinking and scholar, Durkheim was influenced by several historical and sociological events during his lifetime. One of the main factors that influenced Durkheim's thinking was France's rapid social and economic changes during the late 19th century (Ritzer & Stepnisky, 2021). It must be noted that during that period, France was undergoing a process of rapid industrialization, and Durkheim was interested in understanding how these changes affected French society.  
Another factor that influenced Durkheim's thinking was the changing nature of religion in France during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During Durkheim's lifetime, the influence of the Catholic Church was declining, and new forms of religious expression were emerging. Durkheim was interested in understanding the social functions of religion, and he believed religion played an essential role in shaping the values and beliefs of French society (Ritzer & Stepnisky, 2021).
Marx and Durkheim were heavily influenced by their time's social, economic, and political events. Notably, while Marx was primarily concerned...