Did Harriet Martineau's sociological methods influence Emile Durkheim's sociological methods?

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1995-01-05

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Virginia Tech

Abstract

Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) published How to Observe Morals and Manners in 1838. The book was perhaps the first sociological methodology text. Emile Durkheim (1855-1917) published The Rules of Sociological Method (1895) 57 years later. Durkheim's book has traditionally been labeled as the first sociological methodology text, while Martineau's book has been virtually forgotten by modern day sociologists.

The author identifies significant similarities between the two texts and investigates the possibility that the work of Martineau influenced Durkheim. This work explores the life an important figure in nineteenth century European culture and argues that Martineau's name should be reinserted into the history of sociology. The ideas contained in, and the construction of, How to Observe Morals and Manners are discussed.

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sociology

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