moral community

views updated Jun 27 2018

moral community A term used by Émile Durkheim to describe traditional rural communities, in contrast to cities. The moral community is characterized by social integration (extensive and intimate attachments) and by moral integration (a set of shared beliefs about morality and behaviour). In modern usage, any small group with these qualities, such as a religious sect or military unit, may be termed a moral community.

community, moral

views updated Jun 27 2018

community, moral See MORAL COMMUNITY.