Revised for the first time in over thirty years, this edition of Emile Durkheim&;s masterful work on the nature and scope of sociology is updated with a new introduction and improved translation by leading scholar Steven Lukes that puts Durkheim&;s work into context for the twenty-first century reader.The Rules of Sociological Methodrepresents Emile Durkheim&;s manifesto for sociology. He argues forcefully for the objective, scientific, and methodological underpinnings of sociology as a discipline and establishes guiding principles for future research.The substantial new introduction by leading Durkheim scholar Steven Lukes explains and sets into context Durkheim&;s arguments. Lukes examines the still-controversial debates aboutThe Rules of Sociological Method&;s six chapters and explains their relevance to present-day sociology. The edition also includes Durkheim&;s subsequent thoughts on method in the form of articles, debates with scholars from other disciplines, and letters. The original translation has been revised and reworked in order to make Durkheim&;s arguments clearer and easier to read.This is an essential resource for students and scholars hoping to deepen their understanding of one of the pioneering voices in modern sociology and twentieth-century social thought.