Emile Durkheim’s social research in the context of human rights activism

Abstract

This article provides an analysis of the fundamental categories of Emile Durkheim’s theory within the framework of his methodology for social research and the phenomenon of human rights activism. It examines categories such as “social fact”, “solidarity”, “collective consciousness”, and “anomie” in the context of human rights activities. A distinctive feature of the article is its interdisciplinary approach, integrating sociological research results into the field of jurisprudence. The article explores a range of works by the French sociologist and philosopher Emile Durkheim, as well as relevant works by other philosophers, along with the contribution of contemporary Russian legal scholars within the aforementioned context. Given the growing demand for works on human rights issues in both Russian and global legal science, the authors conclude that a comprehensive understanding of the nature of individual rights and legal violations facilitates their more effective, profound, and systematic protection, not only in a reactionary sense, but also by enabling a preventive function in human rights activism. In this regard, the acquired sociological and legal knowledge seems pertinent, sought after, and can be utilized in subsequent doctrinal developments.

Keywords

• human rights phenomenon
• methodology of social research
• collective consciousness
• social facts
• solidarity
• anomie
• durkheim’s categories of sociology