In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the life and mind of the French sociologist Émile Durkheim (1858–1917). Often cited alongside Karl Marx and Max Weber as one of the principal architects of modern social science, Durkheim was the driving force behind establishing sociology as a distinct academic discipline with its own scientific methodology.

Join us as we explore how Durkheim sought to understand the invisible forces that shape our lives and keep complex modern societies from falling apart.

Key topics discussed in this episode:

• Social Facts: We break down Durkheim’s core concept of "social facts"—manners of acting, thinking, and feeling that exist outside the individual but exercise coercive power over them, from formal laws to family norms.

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