Cohesion Quote by Emile Durkheim
“Man seeks to learn, and man kills himself because of the loss of cohesion in his religious society; he does not kill himself because of his learning. It is certainly not the learning he acquires that disorganizes religion; but the desire for knowledge wakens because religion becomes disorganized.”
About This Quote
The quote argues that societal breakdown, not personal learning, drives existential despair; loss of religious cohesion triggers self-destruction, while knowledge itself is not the cause.
In simple terms: Loss of religious cohesion leads to despair, not learning.
Key Takeaway
Social cohesion is vital for mental health.
Themes
social cohesion
religion
existential despair
knowledge
societal change
Mood
reflective
somber
analytical
Type
philosophical
sociological
observational
When to use this quote
- a community facing religious fragmentation
- individuals confronting loss of shared belief
- societies undergoing rapid secularization
Key Concepts
social integration
anomie
collective conscience
Practical Applications
- designing mental health interventions that strengthen community bonds
- policy making to support inclusive religious dialogue
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the erosion of shared belief systems affect individual well‑being?
- What role can education play in mitigating the effects of social disintegration?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that personal existential crises can arise independently of social structures, stemming from internal psychological factors.
