Final answer:
Émile Durkheim believed that social facts have a significant influence on our behavior. They refer to the laws, morals, values, religious beliefs, customs, fashions, rituals, and cultural rules that govern social life. By studying social facts, sociologists can understand how society functions and determine its healthiness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Émile Durkheim, a sociologist, argued that social facts are external to the individual but have a significant influence on our day-to-day behavior. Social facts refer to the laws, morals, values, religious beliefs, customs, fashions, rituals, and cultural rules that govern social life. They serve various functions within society, such as protecting society from violence, punishing criminal behavior, and preserving public health.
Durkheim believed that studying collective behavior and the communal beliefs of society, known as the collective conscience, was crucial to understanding human behavior. He emphasized the interconnectivity of all elements of society and the existence of social forces that are separate from individuals. By studying social facts, sociologists can gain insights into how society functions and determine the healthiness or pathological nature of a society.
Many individuals might disagree with Durkheim's ideas because they often perceive their actions as solely determined by their individual choices and preferences, overlooking the influence of external social factors. This individualistic perspective may lead to a belief that individuals have full control over their behavior and that societal influence is minimal.