Lewis Henry Morgan's Stages of Savagery, Barbarism, and Civilization
Lewis Henry Morgan, an American anthropologist, proposed a theory of social evolution that divided human history into three stages:
* Savagery: This stage was characterized by the use of tools like stone, fire, and the bow and arrow.
* Barbarism: This stage involved the development of pottery, agriculture, and the use of bronze and iron.
* Civilization: This stage was marked by the development of writing, complex institutions, and advanced technology.
Durkheim's Focus on Social Facts
Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist, focused on the study of social facts, which are external and coercive forces that influence individual behavior. He was not concerned with the technological development of societies like Morgan. Durkheim's main contributions were in the areas of:
* Social Solidarity: He argued that societies are held together by shared values and beliefs.
* Division of Labor: He explored how the specialization of work contributed to social cohesion.
* Suicide: He studied the sociological factors that contribute to suicide rates.
Conclusion
While Lewis Henry Morgan used the concept of bronze to represent a particular stage of societal development, Emile Durkheim did not. Durkheim focused on the sociological forces that shape societies, not on the technological advancements of civilizations.