Émile Durkheim and the collective consciousness of society : a study in criminology

Together with the concept of 'social facts', the 'collective consciousness of society' is thought of as one of the key concepts in the sociology of Emile Durkheim, widely regarded as one of the founders of modern sociology. Yet, outside of the sociology of crime, the concept is little used within sociology and, even within criminology, seems only partially understood. English-speaking criminologists cannot even agree how the French term 'conscience collective' is to be translated into English. 'Emile Durkheim and the Collective Consciousness of Society' sets out to address this question and many others connected with the use of the concept in criminology and throughout sociology. Smith argues that Durkheim's original concept must be sensitively revised and suitably updated for its real relevance to come to the fore. Major adjustments to Durkheim's concept of the collective consciousness include Smith's compelling arguments that the model does not apply to everyone equally (we are not all equally incorporated into the collective consciousness), and that Durkheim's concept does not in any way rely on what might be called the disciplinary functions of society.