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Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist who rose to prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is credited with being one of the principal founders of modern sociology. When Durkheim began writing, sociology was not recognized as an independent field of study. As part of the campaign to change this scenario, he went to great lengths to separate sociology from all other disciplines, especially philosophy.
Durkheim’s perspective differed from other sociologists of his era as his theories were founded on things external in nature such as social facts, as opposed to those internal in nature, such as the motivations and desires of individuals. As per him, social phenomena arise when a certain reality emerges from the behavior of interacting individuals, but this same reality cannot be explained in terms of the characteristics of individual agents. For instance, he could argue that social formations such as gangs, political parties and associations are comprised of individual members, but the macro outcome resulting from such organizations operates in a different level and produces results that would not occur on an individual level. He, therefore, believed that the society was far superior to any of its individual components and could hence exert a coercive power on individuals to lead them to acceptable levels of satisfaction. His idea was that happiness and wants are tied to each other. He said, “To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to him”. This exterior force of course in his opinion was the society.
Which one of the following statements can be inferred from the section below?
(Second paragraph, second last sentence)
To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to him
  • a)
    The plethora of choices available to humans leads to the problem of plenty, causing unhappiness and dissatisfaction.
  • b)
    Left alone to the individual, a result other than unhappiness is not possible.
  • c)
    Setting a goal in life is akin to setting oneself for failure and unhappiness.
  • d)
    Humans always run after material things that they cannot fully attain, thereby obtaining nothing but unhappiness. 
  • e)
    Because an individuals is incapable of limiting his passions, he exerts force on society to fulfil these wants.
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist who rose to prominence in th...
Passage Analysis
 
Summary and Main Point
Prethinking
This is a Detail based Inference question. We need to go back to refereed section and re-read the statement and solidify our understanding of the context in which it is made. Please do not rely only on memory to select the correct answer. Accordingly, let’s understand how the author has given us this information. Right before the statement is made, the author talks about how Durkheim thought the society could play a moderating role and lead individuals to acceptable levels of contentment. The author then quotes Durkheim and states the cited statement. As seen in the passage analysis, the gist of his thought is: humans have unlimited wants and if they keep running after these wants, they will be always unhappy. To have any other result (other than unhappiness), the passions/wants must be limited. However, since humans cannot limit these wants, some outside force must do so. (This outside force we are told later is the society.)
With this understanding in mind, let’s evaluate the answer choices.
Answer Choices
A
The plethora of choices available to humans leads to the problem of plenty, causing unhappiness and dissatisfaction.
Incorrect: Out of Scope
There is no mention of choices anywhere in the passage, leave alone this section. The remark is about human wants.
B
Left alone to the individual, a result other than unhappiness is not possible.
Correct
Durkheim clearly states that to achieve a result other than unhappiness, passions must be limited and that an individual is himself not capable of limiting wants. The limitless wants lead to unhappiness. As per Durkheim, an exterior force is a must to limit these wants/passions. Hence, left alone to the individual, unhappiness is the only possible result. Note that the language of the choice is extreme, but the context clearly allows us to infer so. 
C
Setting a goal in life is akin to setting oneself for failure and unhappiness.
Incorrect: Out of Context
The author sets the context very clearly for what kind of goal is being talked about in the referred statement. It is not that every goal in life is likely to cause unhappiness. The goal mentioned in the statement is the goal of running after endless wants.
D
Humans always run after material things that they cannot fully attain, thereby obtaining nothing but unhappiness. 
Incorrect: Out of Scope
Yes, running after unlimited wants is defined by Durkheim as something that leads to unhappiness. But these wants do not necessarily have to be materialistic in nature. There is no given information to support this aspect.
E
Because an individuals is incapable of limiting his passions, he exerts force on society to fulfil these wants.
Incorrect: Inconsistent
The first half of this choice is correct. Durkheim does say that an individual is not capable of limiting his wants; however, he never says anything about the individual exerting force on the society. Durkheim, in fact, appeals to the society to control these wants/passions.  
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Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist who rose to prominence in the late 19thand early 20thcenturies, is credited with being one of the principal founders of modern sociology. When Durkheim began writing, sociology was not recognized as an independent field of study. As part of the campaign to change this scenario, he went to great lengths to separate sociology from all other disciplines, especially philosophy.Durkheim’s perspective differed from other sociologists of his era as his theories were founded on things external in nature such as social facts, as opposed to those internal in nature, such as the motivations and desires of individuals. As per him, social phenomena arise when a certain reality emerges from the behavior of interacting individuals, but this same reality cannot be explained in terms of the characteristics of individual agents. For instance, he could argue that social formations such as gangs, political parties and associations are comprised of individual members, but the macro outcome resulting from such organizations operates in a different level and produces results that would not occur on an individual level. He, therefore, believed that the society was far superior to any of its individual components and could hence exert a coercive power on individuals to lead them to acceptable levels of satisfaction. His idea was that happiness and wants are tied to each other. He said, “To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to him”. This exterior force of course in his opinion was the society.Which one of the following statements can be inferred from the section below?(Second paragraph, second last sentence)To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to hima)The plethora of choices available to humans leads to the problem of plenty, causing unhappiness and dissatisfaction.b)Left alone to the individual, a result other than unhappiness is not possible.c)Setting a goal in life is akin to setting oneself for failure and unhappiness.d)Humans always run after material things that they cannot fully attain, thereby obtaining nothing but unhappiness.e)Because an individuals is incapable of limiting his passions, he exerts force on society to fulfil these wants.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist who rose to prominence in the late 19thand early 20thcenturies, is credited with being one of the principal founders of modern sociology. When Durkheim began writing, sociology was not recognized as an independent field of study. As part of the campaign to change this scenario, he went to great lengths to separate sociology from all other disciplines, especially philosophy.Durkheim’s perspective differed from other sociologists of his era as his theories were founded on things external in nature such as social facts, as opposed to those internal in nature, such as the motivations and desires of individuals. As per him, social phenomena arise when a certain reality emerges from the behavior of interacting individuals, but this same reality cannot be explained in terms of the characteristics of individual agents. For instance, he could argue that social formations such as gangs, political parties and associations are comprised of individual members, but the macro outcome resulting from such organizations operates in a different level and produces results that would not occur on an individual level. He, therefore, believed that the society was far superior to any of its individual components and could hence exert a coercive power on individuals to lead them to acceptable levels of satisfaction. His idea was that happiness and wants are tied to each other. He said, “To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to him”. This exterior force of course in his opinion was the society.Which one of the following statements can be inferred from the section below?(Second paragraph, second last sentence)To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to hima)The plethora of choices available to humans leads to the problem of plenty, causing unhappiness and dissatisfaction.b)Left alone to the individual, a result other than unhappiness is not possible.c)Setting a goal in life is akin to setting oneself for failure and unhappiness.d)Humans always run after material things that they cannot fully attain, thereby obtaining nothing but unhappiness.e)Because an individuals is incapable of limiting his passions, he exerts force on society to fulfil these wants.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2024 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist who rose to prominence in the late 19thand early 20thcenturies, is credited with being one of the principal founders of modern sociology. When Durkheim began writing, sociology was not recognized as an independent field of study. As part of the campaign to change this scenario, he went to great lengths to separate sociology from all other disciplines, especially philosophy.Durkheim’s perspective differed from other sociologists of his era as his theories were founded on things external in nature such as social facts, as opposed to those internal in nature, such as the motivations and desires of individuals. As per him, social phenomena arise when a certain reality emerges from the behavior of interacting individuals, but this same reality cannot be explained in terms of the characteristics of individual agents. For instance, he could argue that social formations such as gangs, political parties and associations are comprised of individual members, but the macro outcome resulting from such organizations operates in a different level and produces results that would not occur on an individual level. He, therefore, believed that the society was far superior to any of its individual components and could hence exert a coercive power on individuals to lead them to acceptable levels of satisfaction. His idea was that happiness and wants are tied to each other. He said, “To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to him”. This exterior force of course in his opinion was the society.Which one of the following statements can be inferred from the section below?(Second paragraph, second last sentence)To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to hima)The plethora of choices available to humans leads to the problem of plenty, causing unhappiness and dissatisfaction.b)Left alone to the individual, a result other than unhappiness is not possible.c)Setting a goal in life is akin to setting oneself for failure and unhappiness.d)Humans always run after material things that they cannot fully attain, thereby obtaining nothing but unhappiness.e)Because an individuals is incapable of limiting his passions, he exerts force on society to fulfil these wants.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist who rose to prominence in the late 19thand early 20thcenturies, is credited with being one of the principal founders of modern sociology. When Durkheim began writing, sociology was not recognized as an independent field of study. As part of the campaign to change this scenario, he went to great lengths to separate sociology from all other disciplines, especially philosophy.Durkheim’s perspective differed from other sociologists of his era as his theories were founded on things external in nature such as social facts, as opposed to those internal in nature, such as the motivations and desires of individuals. As per him, social phenomena arise when a certain reality emerges from the behavior of interacting individuals, but this same reality cannot be explained in terms of the characteristics of individual agents. For instance, he could argue that social formations such as gangs, political parties and associations are comprised of individual members, but the macro outcome resulting from such organizations operates in a different level and produces results that would not occur on an individual level. He, therefore, believed that the society was far superior to any of its individual components and could hence exert a coercive power on individuals to lead them to acceptable levels of satisfaction. His idea was that happiness and wants are tied to each other. He said, “To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to him”. This exterior force of course in his opinion was the society.Which one of the following statements can be inferred from the section below?(Second paragraph, second last sentence)To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to hima)The plethora of choices available to humans leads to the problem of plenty, causing unhappiness and dissatisfaction.b)Left alone to the individual, a result other than unhappiness is not possible.c)Setting a goal in life is akin to setting oneself for failure and unhappiness.d)Humans always run after material things that they cannot fully attain, thereby obtaining nothing but unhappiness.e)Because an individuals is incapable of limiting his passions, he exerts force on society to fulfil these wants.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist who rose to prominence in the late 19thand early 20thcenturies, is credited with being one of the principal founders of modern sociology. When Durkheim began writing, sociology was not recognized as an independent field of study. As part of the campaign to change this scenario, he went to great lengths to separate sociology from all other disciplines, especially philosophy.Durkheim’s perspective differed from other sociologists of his era as his theories were founded on things external in nature such as social facts, as opposed to those internal in nature, such as the motivations and desires of individuals. As per him, social phenomena arise when a certain reality emerges from the behavior of interacting individuals, but this same reality cannot be explained in terms of the characteristics of individual agents. For instance, he could argue that social formations such as gangs, political parties and associations are comprised of individual members, but the macro outcome resulting from such organizations operates in a different level and produces results that would not occur on an individual level. He, therefore, believed that the society was far superior to any of its individual components and could hence exert a coercive power on individuals to lead them to acceptable levels of satisfaction. His idea was that happiness and wants are tied to each other. He said, “To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to him”. This exterior force of course in his opinion was the society.Which one of the following statements can be inferred from the section below?(Second paragraph, second last sentence)To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to hima)The plethora of choices available to humans leads to the problem of plenty, causing unhappiness and dissatisfaction.b)Left alone to the individual, a result other than unhappiness is not possible.c)Setting a goal in life is akin to setting oneself for failure and unhappiness.d)Humans always run after material things that they cannot fully attain, thereby obtaining nothing but unhappiness.e)Because an individuals is incapable of limiting his passions, he exerts force on society to fulfil these wants.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for GMAT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for GMAT Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist who rose to prominence in the late 19thand early 20thcenturies, is credited with being one of the principal founders of modern sociology. When Durkheim began writing, sociology was not recognized as an independent field of study. As part of the campaign to change this scenario, he went to great lengths to separate sociology from all other disciplines, especially philosophy.Durkheim’s perspective differed from other sociologists of his era as his theories were founded on things external in nature such as social facts, as opposed to those internal in nature, such as the motivations and desires of individuals. As per him, social phenomena arise when a certain reality emerges from the behavior of interacting individuals, but this same reality cannot be explained in terms of the characteristics of individual agents. For instance, he could argue that social formations such as gangs, political parties and associations are comprised of individual members, but the macro outcome resulting from such organizations operates in a different level and produces results that would not occur on an individual level. He, therefore, believed that the society was far superior to any of its individual components and could hence exert a coercive power on individuals to lead them to acceptable levels of satisfaction. His idea was that happiness and wants are tied to each other. He said, “To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to him”. This exterior force of course in his opinion was the society.Which one of the following statements can be inferred from the section below?(Second paragraph, second last sentence)To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to hima)The plethora of choices available to humans leads to the problem of plenty, causing unhappiness and dissatisfaction.b)Left alone to the individual, a result other than unhappiness is not possible.c)Setting a goal in life is akin to setting oneself for failure and unhappiness.d)Humans always run after material things that they cannot fully attain, thereby obtaining nothing but unhappiness.e)Because an individuals is incapable of limiting his passions, he exerts force on society to fulfil these wants.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist who rose to prominence in the late 19thand early 20thcenturies, is credited with being one of the principal founders of modern sociology. When Durkheim began writing, sociology was not recognized as an independent field of study. As part of the campaign to change this scenario, he went to great lengths to separate sociology from all other disciplines, especially philosophy.Durkheim’s perspective differed from other sociologists of his era as his theories were founded on things external in nature such as social facts, as opposed to those internal in nature, such as the motivations and desires of individuals. As per him, social phenomena arise when a certain reality emerges from the behavior of interacting individuals, but this same reality cannot be explained in terms of the characteristics of individual agents. For instance, he could argue that social formations such as gangs, political parties and associations are comprised of individual members, but the macro outcome resulting from such organizations operates in a different level and produces results that would not occur on an individual level. He, therefore, believed that the society was far superior to any of its individual components and could hence exert a coercive power on individuals to lead them to acceptable levels of satisfaction. His idea was that happiness and wants are tied to each other. He said, “To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to him”. This exterior force of course in his opinion was the society.Which one of the following statements can be inferred from the section below?(Second paragraph, second last sentence)To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to hima)The plethora of choices available to humans leads to the problem of plenty, causing unhappiness and dissatisfaction.b)Left alone to the individual, a result other than unhappiness is not possible.c)Setting a goal in life is akin to setting oneself for failure and unhappiness.d)Humans always run after material things that they cannot fully attain, thereby obtaining nothing but unhappiness.e)Because an individuals is incapable of limiting his passions, he exerts force on society to fulfil these wants.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist who rose to prominence in the late 19thand early 20thcenturies, is credited with being one of the principal founders of modern sociology. When Durkheim began writing, sociology was not recognized as an independent field of study. As part of the campaign to change this scenario, he went to great lengths to separate sociology from all other disciplines, especially philosophy.Durkheim’s perspective differed from other sociologists of his era as his theories were founded on things external in nature such as social facts, as opposed to those internal in nature, such as the motivations and desires of individuals. As per him, social phenomena arise when a certain reality emerges from the behavior of interacting individuals, but this same reality cannot be explained in terms of the characteristics of individual agents. For instance, he could argue that social formations such as gangs, political parties and associations are comprised of individual members, but the macro outcome resulting from such organizations operates in a different level and produces results that would not occur on an individual level. He, therefore, believed that the society was far superior to any of its individual components and could hence exert a coercive power on individuals to lead them to acceptable levels of satisfaction. His idea was that happiness and wants are tied to each other. He said, “To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to him”. This exterior force of course in his opinion was the society.Which one of the following statements can be inferred from the section below?(Second paragraph, second last sentence)To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to hima)The plethora of choices available to humans leads to the problem of plenty, causing unhappiness and dissatisfaction.b)Left alone to the individual, a result other than unhappiness is not possible.c)Setting a goal in life is akin to setting oneself for failure and unhappiness.d)Humans always run after material things that they cannot fully attain, thereby obtaining nothing but unhappiness.e)Because an individuals is incapable of limiting his passions, he exerts force on society to fulfil these wants.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist who rose to prominence in the late 19thand early 20thcenturies, is credited with being one of the principal founders of modern sociology. When Durkheim began writing, sociology was not recognized as an independent field of study. As part of the campaign to change this scenario, he went to great lengths to separate sociology from all other disciplines, especially philosophy.Durkheim’s perspective differed from other sociologists of his era as his theories were founded on things external in nature such as social facts, as opposed to those internal in nature, such as the motivations and desires of individuals. As per him, social phenomena arise when a certain reality emerges from the behavior of interacting individuals, but this same reality cannot be explained in terms of the characteristics of individual agents. For instance, he could argue that social formations such as gangs, political parties and associations are comprised of individual members, but the macro outcome resulting from such organizations operates in a different level and produces results that would not occur on an individual level. He, therefore, believed that the society was far superior to any of its individual components and could hence exert a coercive power on individuals to lead them to acceptable levels of satisfaction. His idea was that happiness and wants are tied to each other. He said, “To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to him”. This exterior force of course in his opinion was the society.Which one of the following statements can be inferred from the section below?(Second paragraph, second last sentence)To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to hima)The plethora of choices available to humans leads to the problem of plenty, causing unhappiness and dissatisfaction.b)Left alone to the individual, a result other than unhappiness is not possible.c)Setting a goal in life is akin to setting oneself for failure and unhappiness.d)Humans always run after material things that they cannot fully attain, thereby obtaining nothing but unhappiness.e)Because an individuals is incapable of limiting his passions, he exerts force on society to fulfil these wants.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist who rose to prominence in the late 19thand early 20thcenturies, is credited with being one of the principal founders of modern sociology. When Durkheim began writing, sociology was not recognized as an independent field of study. As part of the campaign to change this scenario, he went to great lengths to separate sociology from all other disciplines, especially philosophy.Durkheim’s perspective differed from other sociologists of his era as his theories were founded on things external in nature such as social facts, as opposed to those internal in nature, such as the motivations and desires of individuals. As per him, social phenomena arise when a certain reality emerges from the behavior of interacting individuals, but this same reality cannot be explained in terms of the characteristics of individual agents. For instance, he could argue that social formations such as gangs, political parties and associations are comprised of individual members, but the macro outcome resulting from such organizations operates in a different level and produces results that would not occur on an individual level. He, therefore, believed that the society was far superior to any of its individual components and could hence exert a coercive power on individuals to lead them to acceptable levels of satisfaction. His idea was that happiness and wants are tied to each other. He said, “To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to him”. This exterior force of course in his opinion was the society.Which one of the following statements can be inferred from the section below?(Second paragraph, second last sentence)To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness... To achieve any other result, the passions first must be limited. But since the individual has no way of limiting them, this must be done by some force exterior to hima)The plethora of choices available to humans leads to the problem of plenty, causing unhappiness and dissatisfaction.b)Left alone to the individual, a result other than unhappiness is not possible.c)Setting a goal in life is akin to setting oneself for failure and unhappiness.d)Humans always run after material things that they cannot fully attain, thereby obtaining nothing but unhappiness.e)Because an individuals is incapable of limiting his passions, he exerts force on society to fulfil these wants.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GMAT tests.
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