Durkheim Theory Of Social Fact Essay

Outline and Explain Durkheim’s Conception of Social Fact
Introducing Sociology
ID Number: B00309144
Word Count: 1,000
February 13th 2017

Table of Content
Introduction 3
Body 4
Conclusion 5
Reference 6

Social fact is particularly defined by Durkheim (1986) as a category of facts which present very special characteristics: like acting, thinking, and feeling external to the individual, which are invested with a coercive power by virtue of which they exercise control over him. Also, social facts are the values, cultural norms, and social structures which transcend the individual and are capable of exercising social control. This essay will outline and explain Durkheim’s conception

Looking at suicide rates one can conclude that is an expression of social currents that can affect the social facts that occur within society. He further said that social suicide rate can be explained sociologically, with different groups within society having different consciousness and it is these that produce different social currents which lead to a difference in suicide rates. Also a close analysis of social fact one can see it an external factor to the individual which will exist before and after the individual is gone and will continue to produced after the social group. Therefore, social facts could be measured, subjected and observed through the actions of the collective social group. By a social fact, Durkheim is referring to social fact which is not from an individual responses and preferences, but that come from the social community which socializes each of the member of the community.

Reference
Durkheim, E. (1979) Suicide: A study in Sociology. New York: Macmillan
Durkheim, E. (1982) The Rules Of The Sociological Method. Trans W.D. Halls. New York:
Durkheim, E. (1986) An Introduction To Four Major Works. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications, Inc
Lukes, S. (1982) The Rules Of The Sociological Method. New York: Free