Question

Why must social facts be treated as things?

A. Because they are imaginary and subjective.
B. Because they are irrelevant to society.
C. Because they have no influence on individuals.
D. Because they have a real, coercive power

Answer 1

Social facts must be treated as things because they have a real, coercive power and exert control over individuals. They shape behavior and have a significant influence on society.

Step-by-step explanation:

Durkheim argued that social facts help shape behavior because they have a real, coercive power. Social facts are the laws, morals, values, religious beliefs, customs, fashions, rituals, and all of the cultural rules that govern social life. These social facts have a significant influence on individuals, exerting control and shaping their actions within society.