Page 127 - Vimarsha Volume 2

3. Classification of Suicide by Emile Durkheim

Emile Durkheim is a person who has done a great deal in the field of sociology.
Often, the theory of suicide is discussed. His theory relates to studies of the "division
of labour in society". Durkheim's 1897 classic study, "Le Suicide", addresses this.

According to him, psychological factors, such as , Genealogical genes, climate, or
poverty, are not sufficient to explain why suicide is primarily involved. Durkheim
also notes that there is no society that does not commit suicide. However, Durkheim

rejects a number of accepted theories of suicide, suggesting that his study is based on
a fundamental classification, suggesting that life is an important social phenomenon,

with the collapse of important attachments. Durkheim also points out that suicide is
not a personal act or an act, but that the determining force is not psychological but
social. He concludes that suicide is the result of social disorganization or lack of

social integration or social solidarity.

1. Egoistic suicide
According to Durkheim, when a man becomes socially isolated or feels that he has

no place in the society he destroys himself. This is the suicide of self-centred person
who lacks altruistic feelings and is usually cut off from main stream of the society.

Examples:Loss of love, failure of exams, success in life goals, illness, and suicide are
all contributing factors.
2. Altruistic suicide

This type of suicide occurs when individuals and the group are too close and intimate.
This kind of suicide results from the over integration of the individual into social
proof, for example- Members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) join the

LTTE as suicide bombers and destroy their lives, The Easter bombing shows that
members of the organization committed suicide for their religion.
3. Anomic suicide:

Anomie is a situation in which values or rules are broken. This anomaly arises when
a society has its moral principles, its rules and social values, which are unethical.

Further, this inequality comes in the face of prolonged war, poverty, social inequality,
modernization and fierce competition (Silva, 1989). It is categorized under two

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