Social Cognition and the Origin of Concepts in Durkheim's Sociology of Knowledge
Abstract
This chapter examines a key feature of Emile Durkheim ‘s sociology of knowledge from a critical realist perspective. I argue that Durkheim’s attempt to establish a social basis for the human capacity to conceptualize in The Elementary Forms of Religious Life should be understood along ontological rather than epistemological lines. This brings to light new problems with Durkheim’s approach which, however, can be brought fruitfully into contact with more recent social psychological literatures on social cognition and human conceptualizing capacities.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Emile Durkheim and Sociology
Critical Realism in Sociology
Weber
Simmel
Sociological Theory
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Routledge eBooks
- Pages
- 44–63
- Publication date
- 13 January 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter