Max Weber, Georg Simmel, and Karl Marx were all advocates of:
Question options:
A) Conflict theory
B) Structural functionalism
C) Capitalism
D) Symbolic interactionism
- According to Durkheim, which of the following is NOT a social fact?
Question options:
A) A religious belief
B) A law
C) A custom
D) All of the above are social facts
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Question 1:
Correct Answer: A) Conflict theory
Question 2:
Correct Answer: D) All of the above are social facts
Explanation
In sociology, Max Weber, Georg Simmel, and Karl Marx each contributed significantly to the development of sociological theory. While they held diverse views, all three shared an interest in how power, inequality, and economic structures shape society, aligning them broadly with conflict theory.
Conflict theory, rooted in the work of Karl Marx, focuses on the struggles between social classes and the inherent inequalities in capitalist systems. Marx emphasized the conflict between the bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production) and the proletariat (working class), predicting that this struggle would eventually lead to revolutionary change. Weber also analyzed class conflict but extended the analysis to include status groups and bureaucratic power. Simmel, though more focused on micro-sociology and interpersonal relationships, also explored how conflict can be a central and even cohesive force in society. Thus, while their emphases differed, all three engaged with conflict as a fundamental component of social life.
Regarding Émile Durkheim and social facts, Durkheim defined social facts as elements of social life that exist outside the individual but exert control over them. These include norms, values, laws, customs, institutions, and religious beliefs—essentially, the rules and expectations that guide social behavior.
- A religious belief is a social fact because it exists independently of any one individual and guides behavior within a group.
- A law is clearly a social fact—it is institutionalized and backed by coercive power.
- A custom, such as greeting someone or dressing a certain way in public, also qualifies as a social fact.
Therefore, none of these are exceptions. Since all of the above (religious beliefs, laws, and customs) are social facts according to Durkheim, the correct answer is D) All of the above are social facts.
