What does the concept of 'collective consciousness' refer to?

The concept of 'collective consciousness' refers to the set of shared beliefs, values, and attitudes that unify a society. This idea, introduced by sociologist Émile Durkheim, emphasizes how these common elements create a sense of belonging and social cohesion among individuals within a community. When members of society share similar values and norms, it fosters a collective identity that influences behavior, social order, and integration.

In this process, collective consciousness plays a crucial role in forming social norms and expectations, which helps maintain the stability and functionality of societies. This concept is vital in understanding how societies evolve and how individuals relate to each other within the broader social framework.

While individual thoughts may inform a community's values, collective consciousness specifically pertains to the shared dimensions that hold a society together, distinguishing it from personal or individual cognition. This understanding highlights the importance of unity in social structures. In contrast, concepts like a common disregard for social norms or the division of labor pertain to different aspects of social organization and structure, not to the unifying beliefs that collective consciousness encompasses.