The Conception of “faits sociaux totaux” and its development From Mauss to Gurvitch

Abstract

Original contribution by Mauss to the development of sociological theory is hidden under the reputation of Durkheim, his uncle and master. In fact, he owes many ideas to Durkheim ; nevertheless he is much superior in his position to Durkheim who could not help at times to get into the dogmatic generalization, into the confusion of historical and functional viewpoints, into the mixing of empirism and apriorism, etc. Thus, it should be remarked that Mauss get above his Master, and presented before the public a new orientation of sociology-especially French sociology.
First, this article analysed the conception of “faits sociaux totaux” in Mauss' eminent work “Essai sur le don” and others ; and second, discussed Gurvitch' theory as its growth and development.
By the study of “faits sociaux totaux, ” Mauss meant the study of social systems in their entirety, the study of social phenomena in relations to their total social setting.
But social phenomena cannot be studied in all their details at once ; Consequently, selected aspects must be abstracted out for study. Mauss analysed social phenomena in the relation system of elements. And in its ultimate analysis, he considers that “something” rests and the “something” offers the veritable nature of phenomena. He compared several social types in such a way and succeeded to reveal the nature of phenomena.
According to Gurvitch, Mauss set different aspects of “faits sociaux totaux” in too near approximation, in lieu of differenciating them clearly and describing its decalages, tensions, conflicts, antinomies, integrating them in the whole, the whole of same type or social cadre. Gurvitch tried to enrich Mauss' conception of “faits sociaux totaux” by taking it in depth. It seems that Gurvitch left his theory as unaccomplished, and yet he made a road to analyse complicata modern society, while Mauss' considerations remained mainly in archaic one.