Social Facts Versus Social Action

Sociology is the objective and systematic observation of human interaction. These interactions routinely take the form of ideas that are established by that society; these ideas disclose values held by that society and in turn explain how/why certain behaviors become customary. In a broader scope, sociologists also consider aspects of context such as race, economic class, gender, and age, because all of these things are responsible for shaping values, beliefs, and behavior.

Social facts can be described as societal norms that indicate social patterns that exist despite beliefs of the individual experiencing them. Things such as customs and societal values exist outside individuals whereas cognitive activity is responsible for motivation within individuals. Identifying social facts as “things”, Durkheim was born in 1858 and was a French sociologist and early Methodist that was credited for proposing rules for studying social facts.

Durkheim believed that sociology was to be studied as an actual science, arguing that aspects of the human social spectrum can be linked to scientific rational. This is a direct reflection of the environment he was raised in (Currie’s discovery of radiation). Much, if not all, accredited findings in any scientific field involve the discovery of a set of inarguable facts. Durkheim believed all social facts were relative to their immediate surroundings. This incorporates the idea that consideration should always be given to context. Durkheim also believed that social facts had motives, whether they were apparent of underlying ambitions, there was motive. Lastly, he believed the facts of a particular society were, in fact, representations of the values and beliefs of that society. Durkheim argued that ...

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...tors response to an event going on. Often times this type of action is short lived and may change frequently. Weber believed that these actions have unconscious roots. Traditional actions can be confused with conscious actions that may be habitual. Over time, they are not consciously considered.

It’s a frigid day on campus. As you make your way to sociology discussion, another student, who is too busy monitoring social media to pay attention to where they going, collides with you and your belongings go everywhere. Finally, the student looks up and apologizes for running into you, it was not their intention. The student then offers to help you retrieve your belongings from the ground and wishes on your way. Social action is the student apologizing for running into the other student and social fact would be the student staying to help you pick up your belongings.