Anomie is a condition that arises when individuals deviate from social norms and societal order breaks down. The term is derived from the Latin word anomia. The prefix "an-" means "lacking" or "without", while "nomos" means "rule" or "law". The concept was first introduced by French sociologist Émile Durkheim. Durkheim defined anomie as a state of emptiness and identity loss experienced when individuals are deprived of societal rules and when social relations disintegrate. This situation can result in the weakening of social order, individuals becoming incompatible with society, social collapse, and moral decline.

^{A Visual Representation of Social Isolation through AI.}

According to Durkheim, the deterioration and loss of norms lead to anomie. These norms are essential for the functioning of social order, and the weakening or absence of these norms causes a loss of meaning for individuals. In his work "Suicide", Durkheim discussed anomie as an explanation for the higher incidence of suicides in societies where social bonds are weakened.

Anomie is not limited to social structures alone; it also holds a significant place in the digital world. Digital anomie refers to social disruptions caused by the anonymity and lack of control offered by the internet. Digital platforms, due to the absence of traditional social controls and norms, can lead individuals to deviate from social norms, causing social problems.

Robert Merton’s Anomie Theory

Robert Merton reshaped Durkheim’s anomie theory for modern societies, linking anomie to the inadequacy of traditional means to achieve societal goals. Merton argued that modern societies present individuals with high aspirations, but the means to achieve these goals are not always equally distributed. This inequality can lead to anomic behaviors, accelerating social disintegration.

Anomie and Art: Edvard Munch’s The Scream

Edvard Munch’s The Scream is an artistic reflection of the concept of anomie. The figure in the painting symbolizes a state where social bonds have weakened, and individuals experience a loss of values. The fear and inner anxiety on the figure’s face express an anomic situation, aligning with individuals’ states of moral decline and aimlessness. The psychological effects mentioned in Durkheim’s definition of anomie are tangibly portrayed in Munch’s work.

^{Edvard Munch's The Scream (National Museum of Norway)}