J P Roos: "A sociological power conflict. The submerged debate between Westermarck and Durkheim"

Abstract

Edvard Westermarck was at the turn of 20^th century a direct competitor of Emile Durkheim. Durkheim was the pioneer of French sociology whereas Westermarck was the first professor of sociology in the UK. They competed with each other both directly and indirectly and were interested in same questions, especially concerning family and moral theory. They had many common points: passion for sociology, interest in anthropology, the so called comparative approach. But where Durkheim was interested in empire-building and academic power, Westermarck was much more of a lone wolf type. Nowadays Westermarck is practically forgotten outside of Finland whereas Durkheim is still one of the three main classics in sociology. Yet, when one compares Westermarck and Durkheim’s debates, it becomes clear that Westermarck was right and Durkheim was wrong in every question. This is especially true with respect of the theory of incest avoidance. Westermarck’s theory is now universally accepted whereas Durkheim’s theory was not only wrong, it revealed that one of the books on which his reputation is based, the Formes elementaires de la vie religieuse, was based on a series of misleading claims. Yet Westermarck is forgotten and Durkheim is universally seen as a great theorist. In the end, some possible explanations are discussed.