Book Report: The Rules of Sociological Method

In The Rules of Sociological Method, Durkheim aimed to boost sociology as a valid science for identifying knowledge. He introduced the term social fact as the focus of his study. The article offers various explanations of what a social fact is according to Durkheim, but he best defines the meaning in his last line of the work. “A social fact is every way of acting, fixed or not, capable of exercising on the individual an external constraint; or again, every way of acting which is general throughout a given society, while at the same time existing in its own right independent of its individual manifestations” (Farganis 63). In other words, a social fact for one society may be completely different for another society. Durkheim explains that he experiences social facts as he carries out duties “externally to [himself]…in laws and in custom” (59). Such acts as being a family member, friend, citizen, or religious follower constitute social facts through the thoughts and behaviors attached to each. Another important aspect to note is that Durkheim meant for social facts not to be confused with the sciences of psychology or biology, both of which are specific to the individual, not the collective. Durkheim further explains the problematic nature of social facts. He says that they are not only external to the individual, but are also “endowed with coercive power, by virtue of which they impose themselves upon [a person], independent of his individual will” (59). This means that social facts control behavior and take away the individual’s right to free will and choice in a legal sense. Attempting to violate a social fact would be thwarted at the first sign, and success in violating would result in compensation for one’s actions. Furthermore, violation of social facts has social implications, such as “ridicule” and “social isolation” (59). Regardless, Durkheim believes that the ideas and behaviors that make up social facts are the basis of sociology as a valid science. There are many contemporary examples of social facts in the world today—in fact, we are inundated with them. More formal examples would include American traffic laws, such as observing the speed limit, driving on the right side of the road, and operating the vehicle from the left side. However, in many European countries, drivers are seated on the right side of the vehicle and travel on the left side of the road. In a less formal sense, the ways in which people greet each other are also social facts. In the US, businessmen and professionals often shake hands upon meeting, while friends and relatives will embrace. In other societies, such as China, people bow to each other upon meeting. Despite their differences, they are still social facts in their own respective societies. Durkheim’s conception of social facts was rather intuitive for analyzing the social world. His idea surely holds true in society today, as it had during his studies in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The mass of social facts present today still have coercive power over us, regulating our behavior so that we do not stray from the norms. Just as in Durkheim’s time, violating the constraints of social facts results in punishment. Not only is Durkheim’s work able to be applied to each of us today, but it is a powerful methodology for explaining crime and deviance as well.