A computer simulation explores the minimal conditions that lead observers to recognize a collection of organisms as a society (vs. some more incidental kind of grouping). Since behavioral imperatives of individuals (e.g., “do not go further than x from the group - defined as the nearest y members")suffice, social behavior can be “reduced" to individuals. However, since these individual imperatives involve feedback between each individual and the "group", they are not what Durkheim resisted; our behavioral feedback model embodies notions that Durkheim and Saussure sought but (prior to the advent of modem cognitive science) could not express. The simulation explores the costs and benefits of ''society" under various environmental conditions (density and distribution of food, range of vision and movement of "critters", and ability of ''critters” to recognize others' states). Results converge on findings from optimal foraging theory. Issues relevant to anticipated future developments, of the simulation (including individual variation, conspecific intergroup competition, and predation) are discussed.