Durkheim's idea of social facts both established sociology as an independent field of study and provided one of the most convincing arguments for studying society as it is before we decide what it should be". Discuss.

Social facts are ways of thinking, acting and feeling which are dispersed throughout the society, general to the society and exercising an external constraint on the members of the society. Social facts are things independent of observer according to Durkheim.

Social Facts: Establishing The Identity of Sociology.

Influenced by Emile Boutroux, Comte, Durkheim emphasized on social reality as 'sui generis'. Social reality is made of social facts. Durkheim in his 'Rules of Sociological Method, 1895' emphasized the cause and effect of a social phenomena should be seen at social level only.

For Example, unlike psychological views of suicide or biological views, Durkheim showed Regulation and Integration as suicidal currents in the society. The individual exposed to these currents may be driven to suicide. This social fact formed the basis of functionalism. The same approach of social explanation of deviance by Merton rather than Sheldon, Lombroso's biological or Freudian view of psychology is an example of unique identity of sociological explanations.

Social fact enabled the development of empirical methods of research in Sociology. Durkheim viewed Religion as a real social phenomena unlike supernatural explanations of Frazers, Tylor, Muller etc. This enabled him to scientifically study religion and demystify the same.

Social fact can be classified and generalized in the scientific approach. They can be structural, morphological or material-non material etc.

Ritzer: Non material social fact eg: religiosity.

Studying Society As it should Be:

Durkheim used The 'Social facts' concept by echoing the views of Comtian Positivism which aims to affirm which is already there in society than what it should be which was the work of politicians, reformers etc.

A sociological enquiry uses the methods of Observation, Comparison and Contrast and Generalization to understand social reality. A scientific knowledge of society can provide ways for overcoming the tumultuous social conflict which were present during France of Durkheim's times.

Social facts enable the empirical study of social phenomena and allows one to reach generalizations eg:

Holbwachs: linked suicide to social complexity furthering Durkheim's research.

Social facts allow the descriptive view of social phenomena and thereby allows concept building in social science e.g. Suicide, Religion defined by Durkheim.

Social facts were also used by Durkheim to explain the 'collective consciousness' and its hold on society to explain concepts of deviance, need for social reform etc.

However, Peter Berger says social fact do not fall from sky. Weber also emphasizes on subjective meanings to understand social phenomena. Facts cannot be delineated in social Sciences beyond an extent due to context - Blumer.

Nevertheless, the idea of social fact established sociology as an independent field of study.