What is a social fact PDF

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What is a Social Fact article by Emile Durkheim ...

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Sociology What is a Social Fact

In Durkheim's article, What is a Social Fact, Emile Durkheim expresses his beliefs on the effect of social facts. He defined the term and argued that the discipline of Sociology should be understood and based on the study of social facts. Social facts, in sociology, can be defined as the values, cultural norms, and social structures which someone or something originates in the culture of a society and how it ends up affecting the behavior or attitudes of an individual member of that society.

Durkheim’s purpose in writing this article is so the readers can conclude and define the field of sociology. In doing so we recognize that there are only a number of approaches and comprehension that belong to sociology or the study of social relationships which differ from biology and psychology, which also have a large effect on the way humans grow and develop. By a social fact, Durkheim is referring to statistics, ideas and assumptions that come not from someone specific, but comes from a social society or community that has already socialized its members to be the way they wish them to be. Although we might be fine conforming to the norm behavior and share the values that they all share, we are unconsciously constrained.

Durkheim’s final thesis in "What is Social Fact?" explains the perception of the individual who is extremely accustomed by social realities and forms the norms of what is considered accepted behavior. Social facts are quite simply things that you do daily and things that are commonly done by everyone such as brushing your teeth, going shopping, and going to work. None of these things are done on account of your own, they are done because they are social facts that must be respected and followed. This is a clear example of why social facts have

real control over your life. According to Durkheim we manage our lives by the continuous followings of social facts.

Durkheim provides an example for his readers when he compares protestant communities with catholic ones and how the suicide rates are higher in protestant communities. This is proof for Durkheim that his beliefs on the power of social facts is true because the fact that this had to do with suicide showed how even taking your life away from yourself didn’t depend on yourself, but rather your society.

On the other hand, it could still be argued that the external power of social facts is derived from people being held commonly by most of the individual members of a society. But there was nothing to convince Durkheim to feel different than how he does now. He argued that the mandatory nature of social facts is repeatedly exhibited by individuals because it is now within them and become part of them.

Personally I think I agree with Durkheim but the way he conveys how he feels can be confusing at points. By not completely understanding what he was trying to convey, I am unable to form an opinion, rather I am able to form a small understanding on his writing. I do, along with Durkheim, believe that social facts have a large role on the way we behave and live....