What did Durkheim mean by his concept of social facts? Describe an example of something that is a social fact as well as something that is not a social fact.

Emile Durkheim, a prominent sociologist, defined social facts as the norms, values, and structures that exist within a society and exert influence over individuals. These social facts are external to the individual, yet they shape their behavior and beliefs. Durkheim argued that these social facts are not simply the sum of individual actions, but rather have a reality of their own that is independent of individual consciousness.

An example of a social fact could be the institution of marriage. Marriage is a social construct that exists in virtually every society and has specific norms, rules, and expectations associated with it. These norms and expectations shape the behavior and choices of individuals within a society, even if they may personally hold different beliefs about marriage.

On the other hand, something that is not a social fact would be an individual's personal preferences or tastes. While these preferences may be influenced by social factors, they are ultimately unique to the individual and do not have the same external, constraining influence as social facts.

In summary, Durkheim's concept of social facts refers to the external, constraining forces within a society that shape individual behavior and beliefs. These can include institutions, norms, and values that have a reality of their own and exert influence over individuals.