Final answer:
Sociology aims to treat social facts as things and study their functions in society, according to Emile Durkheim.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the aim of sociology is to treat social facts as things was given by Emile Durkheim. Durkheim believed that in order to study society, sociologists have to look beyond individuals and focus on social facts. Social facts are the laws, morals, values, religious beliefs, customs, fashions, rituals, and all cultural rules that govern social life. These social facts serve various functions within a society, and studying them helps sociologists understand and analyze social interactions and patterns.