Émile Durkheim’s Suicide: A Study in Sociology is one of the most significant works in the history of sociology, originally published in 1897 and republished in many editions, including Routledge’s 2005 version. Durkheim, a pioneering sociologist, presents an empirical investigation into suicide, not as an individual act, but as a social phenomenon. His work remains foundational for understanding how societal factors influence human behavior.

Durkheim categorizes suicide into four types based on the relationship between the individual and society:

1. Egoistic suicide – resulting from feelings of isolation and lack of integration within society.
2. Altruistic suicide – occurring when individuals are overly integrated into society, to the point where they are willing to sacrifice their lives for the group.
3. Anomic suicide – stemming from societal instability or breakdown, where norms are unclear or disrupted, often due to economic or social upheavals.
4. Fatalistic suicide – rare, resulting from excessive regulation, where individuals are oppressed by overbearing norms or rules.

Durkheim’s central thesis is that suicide rates are influenced by the degree of social integration and regulation. He rejects purely psychological explanations, arguing instead that societal structures play a critical role. His reliance on statistical data and cross-national comparisons was groundbreaking for the time, making the book a cornerstone of sociological methodology.

The 2005 Routledge edition reaffirms the text’s timeless relevance, offering modern readers access to Durkheim’s insights within contemporary contexts. While some critiques have been made regarding the rigid classification of suicide types, the book remains a vital resource for students of sociology, psychology, and those interested in the social determinants of behavior.

Overall, Suicide challenges readers to think beyond individual pathology and consider how societal factors shape personal actions, making it an enduring classic in social theory.