Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death, often as a result of mental health issues, extreme emotional distress, or other underlying factors. Émile Durkheim, a pioneering sociologist, explored the social aspects of suicide in his seminal work "Suicide: A Study in Sociology," published in 1897. Durkheim's theory of suicide is a key contribution to the field of sociology, and it examines the social factors that influence the likelihood of an individual taking their own life.

Durkheim identified four types of suicide and linked each to specific social conditions:

Egoistic Suicide: Durkheim argued that egoistic suicide occurs when individuals are not well integrated into society, experiencing a lack of social bonds and connections. This lack of integration can lead to feelings of isolation and alienation, increasing the risk of suicide. For example, individuals with weak family ties or limited involvement in social groups might be more prone to egoistic suicide.

Altruistic Suicide: In contrast, altruistic suicide results from excessive social integration. This occurs when individuals are so closely bound to a group or community that they are willing to sacrifice their lives for the collective good. Examples include suicide bombers or individuals who take their own lives for religious or cultural reasons.

Anomic Suicide: Anomic suicide is associated with a breakdown in social norms and values. This type of suicide occurs when individuals experience a sudden disruption in their lives, such as financial ruin or the dissolution of social institutions. The loss of a stable social framework can create a sense of aimlessness and despair, contributing to the risk of suicide.

Fatalistic Suicide: Although Durkheim introduced fatalistic suicide as a fourth type, he considered it less common and provided fewer examples. Fatalistic suicide is associated with oppressive social conditions, where individuals feel their lives are intolerably regulated and seek escape through suicide. This type is less thoroughly developed in Durkheim's work compared to the other three.

Durkheim's theory of suicide highlights the importance of social factors in understanding why individuals take their own lives. It challenges simplistic psychological explanations and emphasizes the role of broader societal forces in shaping suicide rates. While his theory has been subject to critique and refinement over the years, it remains a foundational contribution to the sociological study of suicide.