According to Durkheim, what does 'collective conscience' signify?

The concept of 'collective conscience,' as proposed by Émile Durkheim, signifies the set of shared beliefs, values, and attitudes that unify a society. Durkheim argued that this collective consciousness forms a social glue, holding individuals together, which is crucial for social cohesion and the functioning of society. It reflects the norms and values that are common among members of a society, creating a sense of belonging and identity.

This collective conscience plays a vital role in maintaining social order by guiding behaviors and expectations within that society. When individuals align with the collective conscience, they contribute to the stability and continuity of their social group. The shared values can be seen in various social institutions such as family, education, and religion, which all contribute to reinforcing these common beliefs and practices.

In contrast, the other options focus on individualism or conflict, which do not encapsulate the essence of Durkheim's theory. Individual beliefs that differ across societies pertain to subjective experiences rather than a collective framework. Conflict between different cultural beliefs suggests a divergence rather than unity, which is contrary to what 'collective conscience' seeks to emphasize. Lastly, personal values shaped by unique experiences refer to the individual's internal values, which exist outside the shared societal framework highlighted by Dur