Citation

Wallwork E. Sociol. Relig. 1985; 46(3): 201-217.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1985, Association for the Sociology of Religion)

DOI

10.2307/3710690

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Opposing the widespread view that Durkheim did not become interested in religion until 1895, this paper explores the complex theory of religion that is presented in the articles Durkheim published before The Division of Labor. These early views on the nature and social role of religion help elucidate the tangled thesis of The Division of Labor. The nature of the shift in Durkheim's thought that occurred in 1895 is re-examined in light of changes in his theory of religion, and a fresh perspective on Durkheim's intellectual development is proposed.