Final answer:
Social facts are external to us because they exist outside of individual consciousness and are independent of individual will. They are collective and shared by members of a society. Social facts shape behavior by providing norms and rules that guide actions and interactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Durkheim argued that social facts are external to us, meaning that they exist outside of individual consciousness and are independent of individual will. Social facts are the laws, morals, values, religious beliefs, customs, fashions, and rituals that govern social life. They are external because they are collective, meaning they are shared by members of a society and exist independently of any single individual.
For example, laws are social facts that are external to individuals. They are created and enforced by society and apply to all members of that society. Even if an individual disagrees with a law, they are still subject to it and its consequences. Social facts shape the behavior of individuals by providing norms and rules that guide their actions and interactions with others.
When we say that social facts are external to us, it means that they are not solely determined by our individual thoughts, preferences, or desires. They exist independently of our personal beliefs and existences. By recognizing the external nature of social facts, we can better understand how society functions and how social forces influence our behavior.