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Emile Durkheim and altruistic suicide
1Center for Suicide Research, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. aa1051@wayne.edu
Summary
Altruistic suicide, driven by cultural approval, benefits social order in groups valuing the collective over the individual, notably in primitive societies and the military. Research suggests exploring its subtypes and impact on national suicide rates.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Criminology
- Psychology
Background:
- Altruistic suicide is characterized by cultural approval and serves to benefit the social order.
- It is prevalent in social groups where individual value is minimized, such as primitive societies and modern military contexts.
- Durkheim's model of altruistic suicide is a foundational concept in sociological suicide research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate and evaluate subtypes of altruistic suicide: obligatory, optional, and acute.
- To examine the relationship between military and civilian suicide rates.
- To identify limitations in existing models and suggest future research directions for altruistic suicide.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis and evaluation of Durkheim's theory on altruistic suicide.
- Comparative analysis of suicide rates in military versus civilian populations.
- Identification and discussion of limitations within the established model.
Main Results:
- Altruistic suicide benefits the social order and is linked to low individual value.
- Military suicide rates exhibit an inverse relationship with civilian suicide rates.
- Durkheim's model may overstate the prevalence of obligatory suicide.
Conclusions:
- Altruistic suicide is a distinct form of suicide with specific social functions.
- Further research should focus on comparative military suicide analyses and the impact of suicide acceptability on national rates.
- Understanding optional altruistic suicide offers insights into societal suicide trends.