Emile Durkheim is known for being a major proponent of which sociological perspective?

Emile Durkheim is widely recognized as one of the founding figures of sociology, and he is a prominent advocate of functionalism. This sociological perspective emphasizes the ways in which different aspects of society are structured to maintain stability and functionality. Durkheim's work focused on understanding how social institutions and phenomena contribute to social order and collective cohesion.

He believed that society operates like a living organism, where every component, such as norms, values, and institutions, plays a critical role in the proper functioning of the whole. For example, Durkheim’s studies on social integration and collective consciousness illustrate his functionalist approach by demonstrating how shared beliefs and values reinforce social solidarity.

In contrast to other perspectives, such as conflict theory, which highlights power disparities and struggles between different social classes, or symbolic interactionism, which focuses on individual interactions and the meanings attached to them, Durkheim's functionalism is centered around how societal structures work together to promote stability and order. Thus, his theoretical contributions are foundational in the field of sociology and encapsulate the principles of functionalism.