Final answer:
True, anomie is central to Durkheim's work on social cohesion and deviance, reflecting a state of normlessness in society during the transition from mechanical to organic solidarity. Weber's work, though also examining societal changes, did not focus on the concept of anomie, but rather on rationalization, bureaucracy, and religion's role.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, anomie is indeed a central idea in Emile Durkheim's sociological work, not Max Weber's. Durkheim's concept of anomie refers to a state of normlessness, where society lacks the support of a firm collective consciousness, particularly during the transition from mechanical to organic solidarity. This disruption in social norms can lead to feelings of disconnection and isolation. In Durkheim's view, a society experiencing anomie is going through a phase of social uncertainty, which might happen during significant economic fluctuations or wars. Once a society establishes a new set of shared norms, it can achieve organic solidarity, completing its development and alleviating anomie. In contrast, Weber's work focused more on the effects of rationalization and bureaucracy on society, as well as the role of religion in social change, particularly in his thesis on the Protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism. Though Durkheim and Weber both examined the impacts of societal changes due to industrialization and modernization, the specific concept of anomie is unique to Durkheim's theories about social cohesion and deviance.