Final answer:
Durkheim's functionalism describes society as a system of interrelated parts that maintain stability. This theory emphasizes the role of collective beliefs and social facts in governing society. It posits that each part of society, including laws and social stratification, serves a specific function that contributes to the overall functioning and health of society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Durkheim's Functionalism
Émile Durkheim's functionalist view of society is a theory that posits that society is a complex system of interrelated and interdependent parts that work together to maintain stability and social order. Durkheim, a foundational figure in the field of sociology alongside thinkers like Max Weber, stressed the importance of the collective conscience—the communal beliefs, morals, and attitudes that govern social life. Social facts, such as laws, morals, values, religious beliefs, customs, fashion, and rituals, are paramount in understanding the structure of society because they represent the cultural rules that dictate social behavior. According to functionalism, every aspect of society serves a purpose and is necessary for the survival of that society. Societies are maintained by shared values, languages, and symbols. For example, laws may serve to protect society from violence, punish criminal behavior, and preserve public health. Functionalist perspectives also explore how social stratification serves a function, giving power to those suited to lead or encouraging talented individuals to achieve positions of power and thereby create wealth for the larger society. Functionalism grows out of the analogy drawn by Herbert Spencer between society and the human body, emphasizing that just like the organs of the body work together to keep it functioning, social institutions work together to keep society functioning. Sociologists like Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore, with the Davis-Moore thesis, have further elaborated on the functions of social stratification in society.