**Who was Maurice Halbwachs?** - French philosopher and sociologist (1877-1945) - A student of [[Émile Durkheim]] and a prominent figure in the development of the sociology of knowledge - Best known for his concept of collective memory **Key Ideas and Theories** - **Collective Memory:** Halbwachs theorized that memories are not solely individual experiences but rather socially constructed and shaped by the groups we belong to. Collective memory is formed through shared narratives, rituals, symbols, and commemorations, which help to create a sense of identity and continuity within a society. - **Social Frameworks of Memory:** Emphasized that individual memories are always filtered through the lens of our social environment. Our social class, family, religion, and other group affiliations influence how we remember and interpret the past. - **Memory and Space:** Explored the relationship between physical spaces and collective memory. He argued that places like monuments, memorials, and even the layout of cities can embody shared narratives and evoke memories associated with particular events or groups. - **Social Classes and Consumption:** Studied how social class shapes spending habits, patterns of consumption, and lifestyles. **Tragic End and Legacy** - As a socialist and of Jewish heritage, Halbwachs was arrested by the Gestapo in 1944 during the Nazi occupation of France. He tragically died in the Buchenwald concentration camp in 1945. - Halbwachs's focus on how social forces shape individual memory remains a cornerstone of sociological research. - His work has influenced studies on social movements, nationalism, and the construction of cultural identities. # References ```dataview Table title as Title, authors as Authors where contains(authors, "Maurice Halbwachs") or contains(subject, "Maurice Halbwachs") sort modified desc, authors, title ```