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Gabriel de Tarde, also known as Jean-Gabriel de Tarde (1843-1904), was a French sociologist, social psychologist, and philosopher who played a pivotal role in establishing the foundations of sociology in France. A contemporary of Emile Durkheim, Tarde's work is characteristically marked by a micro-sociological approach, focusing on the importance of individual and small group interactions. One of his best-known theories is that of imitation, which posits that society evolves primarily through the imitation of behaviors, innovations, and ideas rather than through biological or economic determinants.
Tarde's intellectual contributions extend beyond sociology to penning the lesser-known but profound science fiction novel, 'Underground Man' ('Fragments d'histoire future', 1896), which presents a dystopian vision of a future where humankind is driven underground by extreme climatic changes. The novel exemplifies his imaginative exploration of societal evolution and reflects his deep interest in the psychological influences within societies. His literary style in this work, and others, often merges his theoretical insights with speculative fiction, thereby providing a rich, narrative-driven examination of human behavior and social interaction. Although Tarde's influence waned as Durkheimian sociology rose, recent decades have seen a revival of interest in his ideas within the sociological and anthropological disciplines. |
