There can be no good without evil and no justice without crime

Sociology Deviance discussion question

One of the founders of sociology, Emile Durkheim, believed that deviants played a functional role in society. He’s quoted as saying, “Deviance affirms cultural values and norms. Any definition of virtue rests on an opposing idea of vice: There can be no good without evil and no justice without crime”. What is your interpretation of this quote? Applying what you’ve learned from Chapter 1 and the video clip in the Content section, explain whether or not you agree with Durkheim’s assertion that deviants serve a purpose in our society and provide your reasoning.

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