...Assess the view that Sociology can and should be seen as a Science In this essay it will assess the view that sociology can and should be seen as a science. It will provide you with examples throughout. Sociology is seen as science by some, this is because they believe it is very similar to the natural sciences, much like the natural sciences, hypothesis’ can be made and facts can be a result by collecting data or carrying out experiments. Sociology is really considered to be a social science like many other subjects. Sociologists in the 19th century believed that using the rules and logic of scientific methods could be used to test sociology the same way as it does in the natural sciences. Sciences are considered to be chemistry, biology, and physics; this is because these subjects all use explanations and reasons throughout the work. Before sociology is to be named worthy of being a science, the meaning of science is to find ways of understanding the world and explaining it. When studying in science scientific methods are used, the process starts with something being observed, and then a hypothesis is made to give a possible relationship between the events being studied and an experiment or research to prove or disprove the hypothesis is done and finally, an evaluation is made and a conclusion if proven correct, or a new hypothesis is created to test again. Many believe that sociology does this because it too also tries to explain and understand the social world. Positivists...
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...Assess the Extent to which sociology could be seen as a science (33 marks) Science is characterised by five components. These are as follows. Empirical means we can count and measure information and testable is defined as experiments being able to be repeated and retested, therefore seen as more reliable. The theoretical means science seeks out causal relationships and doesn’t rely on descriptions but also to explain. Cumulative means it builds on previous knowledge and moves our understanding of the world forwards. Lastly, the objective details that personal feelings, prejudices etc have no place in science. It basically has to be unbiased. It is debated as to whether sociology fits into this definition, with strong divides in the for and against. One argument presented as to why sociology is a science comes from Positivists. Positivists use quantitative data and methods such as questionnaires in order to distinguish any trends, patterns or correlations in an investigation. By adopting the methods of natural sciences they establish sociology as a real science. Comte argued that it should be based on the methodology of the natural sciences. This is the approach that positivists take however, there comes a difficulty with applying these measures to the subject. In science the aim is to achieve the same and correct answer each time the experiment is done, and this shows reliability and validity in whatever claims that are trying to be made. If an anomaly appears steps are taken...
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...Chapter 1: History Richard Baldwin Graduate Institute, Geneva 1 © 2009, Baldwin&Wyplosz, Economics of European Integration, 3rd Edition Early Post War Period • A Climate for Radical Change: – Facts: Death toll The Economic Set-Back: Prewar year when GDP equalled that of 1945 1886 1924 1936 1938 1891 1908 1909 1912 1937 GDP grew during WWII GDP grew during WWII GDP grew during WWII Austria Belgium Denmark Finland France Germany Italy Netherlands Norway Sweden Switzerland UK 525,000 82,750 4,250 79,000 505,750 6,363,000 355,500 250,000 10,250 0 0 325,000 • – Images: 2 Understanding the climate for radical change • Difficult – but essential – to understand how different Europe was in 1940s. 3 © 2009, Baldwin&Wyplosz, Economics of European Integration, 3rd Edition Rome 1944 London 1940 East London, 1940 4 © 2009, Baldwin&Wyplosz, Economics of European Integration, 3rd Edition Rotterdam, 1940 Coutances France, 1944 Ortana Italy, 1943 5 © 2009, Baldwin&Wyplosz, Economics of European Integration, 3rd Edition Reichstag, 1945 Frankfurter Allee, 1945 Belgium 1940 Warsaw 1944 6 © 2009, Baldwin&Wyplosz, Economics of European Integration, 3rd Edition Dec.‟45, Parisians queue outside bakery before the reinstatement of bread rationing 1 January 1946. Jan.‟46, UN Relief & Rehabilitation Admin handouts in Belgium. In 1946, France asks the US for material and financial aid to revive its economy. 7 ...
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...Sociology cannot and should not be a science.’ To what extent do sociological arguments and evidence support this view? (33marks) There are disagreements between sociologists as to whether sociology is considered to be a science. Some suggest that there is no way that sociology could be a science. For example, Popper believes that sociology is not a science, as inductive reasoning doesn’t create science. Therefore Popper he proposed that scientific research methods should be based on the principle of falsification, that is, instead of looking for evidence to prove a hypothesis right, scientists should look for evidence that proves it false. As sociology never makes claims that can be falsified, it’s not therefore a science. However, Popper has been criticized by Kaplan, who argues that many scientific discoveries are made by accident, which inspires luck to play a crucial role in scientific research. Moreover, many scientists make false starts or collect data that takes them up blind alleys before they get back on track. Also, Feyerabend argues that in reality there is no logic to science as individualist scientists follow their own rules, which often do not resemble textbook models. Thus, Poppers views on sociology not being a science are inaccurate, due to his understanding of what science is. Popper was only mainly concerned with the logic of science, whereas Kuhn argued that scientists work within conceptual paradigm that strongly influences the way in which they...
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...DEFINITION OF SOCIOLOGY Tuesday, March 24, 2009 | Posted by Nimesh Suranga (නිමේෂ් සුරංග) | 'Sociology' which had once been treated as social philosophy, or the philosophy of the history, emerged as an independent social science in 19th century. Auguste Comte, a Frenchman, is traditionally considered to be the father of sociology. Comte is accredited with the coining of the term sociology (in 1839). "Sociology" is composed of two words : socius, meaning companion or associate; and 'logos', meaning science or study. The etymological meaning of "sociology" is thus the science of society. John Stuart Mill, another social thinker and philosopher of the 19th century, proposed the word ethology for this new science. Herbert Spencer developed his systematic study of society and adopted the word "sociology" in his works. With the contributions of Spencer and others it (sociology) became the permanent name of the new science. The question 'what is sociology' is indeed , a question pertaining to the definition of sociology. No student can rightfully be expected to enter on a field of study which is totally undefined or unbounded. At the same time, it is not an easy task to set some fixed limits to a field of study. It is true in the case of sociology. Hence it is difficult to give a brief and a comprehensive definition of sociology. Sociology has been defined in a number of ways by different sociologists. No single definition has yet been accepted as completely satisfactory. In...
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...Sociology: Nature and Scope Sociology Defined. — Definitions of sociology are many. While it would be hardly correct to say that there are as many as there are sociologists, it is safe to say that they are as numerous as the various points of view of the respective groups of sociologists. The term 'Sociology' was coined by Auguste Comte, a French philosopher in 1839. It is the youngest of all social sciences. Sociology is the outcome of man's search for a more valid, and precise knowledge about the nature of man and the society. The word 'Sociology' is derived from the Latin word 'Societus' meaning 'society and the Greek word 'logos' meaning 'study or science'. Thus, the etymological meaning of 'Sociology' is the 'science of society'. In other words, we can say Sociology is the study of man's behaviour in groups or of interaction among human beings of social relationships and the processes by which human group activity takes place. Definitions: To make the study more clear, it is wise on our part to discuss some of the definitions given by famous sociologists. Unfortunately, there is no short-cut definition of Sociology so far. It has been defined in a number of ways by different sociologists, but no single definition of Sociology has yet been accepted as completely satisfactory. Auguste Comte, the founding father of Sociology, defines Sociology "as the science of social phenomena subject to natural and invariable laws, the discovery of which is the object of investigation...
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...the part of sociologist with regard to the scope of sociology because it is so elastic a subject that it is hard to establish just where its precinct begins and ends. Everything and anything under the sun seems to fall under the purview of sociology. However, such assumption is nullified. There are two main schools of thought regarding the scope of sociology: the specialistic or formalistic school and the synthetic school. The Specialistic/Formalistic School This school of thought was led by the German sociologist George Simmel. The other main advocates of this school were Vierkandt, Max Weber, Small, Von Wiese and Tonnies. They were of the opinion that sociology was different from other branches of social science and deemed it necessary to confine to the enquiry of certain defined aspects of human relationship. It was to study only the abstract forms of social relationships but not their contents. They regard sociology as pure and independent science. According to Simmel, sociology is distinct from other social sciences for the reason that it has its own abstract mode of dealing with the same topic of social relationship which other social science like history, economics, political science etc. too deals with, but in their own way. To him sociology is a specific social science that describes, classifies, analyses, and delineates the forms of social relationships. Vierkandt maintains that sociology is a special branch of knowledge concerned with the ultimate...
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...1.SOCIOLOGY -It is a social science which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity -Analysis of a social institution or societal segment as a self-contained entity or in relation to society as a whole. -he study of sociology aims at analyzing the patterns of human behavior, deriving their causes and speculating the future of the behavioral patterns in society. 2.a.Relation between Sociology and History: Both social sciences are now a days coming nearer to each other. Some time ago history was considered as science of some dates, places and struggles.But now people have realizes that why the particular event in history occurred? What was form of the same? In short history is another social science which is related to irect society and sociology. History primarily deals with past events and how they affected society eg how the Ino-Pak partition ,compel Sindhu(Hindu word it self has originated from Sindhu_)to prove themselves laborious, on the other end will be concerned with how people intereacted, how culture was affected etc during the present and before the partition . 1.Sociology takes help from history in mater of present studies.By comparing between occurring past and present events, one can estimate the factors responsible for occurring that event. 2.Sociology is obvious in history in that the social interactions of individuals...
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...Sociology is defined as the study of human values, relationships, beliefs and society. Sociology Defined. — Definitions of sociology are many. While it would be hardly correct to say that there are as many as there are sociologists, it is safe to say that they are as numerous as the various points of view of the respective groups of sociologists. Generally, sociologists, instead of giving a formal definition of sociology, have entered into an extended discussion of its nature. Some, however, have used a colorless definition like " Sociology is the science of society," or " the scientific study of society," or " the science of social phenomena." Others, using more words, add but little, as for example, " Sociology is the name applied to a somewhat inchoate mass of materials which embodies our knowledge about society." Other definitions somewhat more definite, yet unsatisfactory in many ways, are, " the science of social process " and " the science of social relation." Better than these are, " Sociology is the study of men considered as affecting and as affected by association," or, " the study of human association, including whatever conduces to it or modifies it." Of the formal definitions that have been given by scientific men, none is more comprehensive than that of Professor Giddings, which follows : " Sociology is an attempt to account for the origin, growth, structure, and activities of society by the operation of physical, vital, and psychical causes working together...
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...Is Sociology a Science? A Classroom Exercise for Promoting Discussion* Royce A. Singleton, Jr. College of the Holy Cross *I wish to thank Dave Hummon for his helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper. Paper presented at the annual meetings of the American Sociological Association, San Francisco, 1998. © 2005 Royce A. Singleton, Jr. Is Sociology a Science? A Classroom Exercise for Promoting Discussion Abstract Though sociology was founded on the idea that the social order is subject to scientific study, the “science” question remains controversial. By learning about this controversy, students can learn much about the discipline. This paper describes an exercise, together with data collected from six classes, that asks students to project their personal images of scientists and social scientists. These images invariably contain half-truths and misconceptions that can be used to address three related questions: (1) What is science? (2) How is sociology scientific? and (3) What are the major challenges to sociology as a science? I draw upon my own students’ responses to show how the exercise can generate a wide-ranging discussion of these issues. Is Sociology a Science? A Classroom Exercise for Promoting Discussion The question of whether sociology is a science has a long history in the discipline. It was addressed by virtually all the classical social theorists. But for some time the debate about the scientific status of sociology was muted. In the post-World...
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...see things as they are; we see things as we are.” In my opinion, sociology is a perspective for understanding our behaviour as human beings due to the fact that our everyday life inspires sociological theories. Marx Weber (1897) exerts that, “sociology is a science which attempts the interpretive understanding of social action in order thereby to arrive at a causal explanation of its course and effects." Prior to careful analysis of various views sociologist hold on sociology as a scientific discipline I would have deemed sociology as a science. However, subsequent to immense reading open-mindedly, I beg to differ that sociology is a science. According to Hindes (2015), a science is “a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws.” A scientific study constitutes objectivity, observation, testability, accurate and reliable predictions and measurements as well as generalisation. With this being said, it is argued by many sociologist that sociology is a science since it harnesses scientific methods in its study of society. According to Auguste Comte and Durkheim, sociology is a science because it adopts and applies the scientific method”, as cited by Mondal (2015) in Sociology as a branch of science. Sociology as a science requires the study of the social phenomena of society with the possession of the characteristics of science. However, it is evident that much Sociological research continues...
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...Is Sociology a Science? Intro: What is Science vs. what is Sociology? The term “science” refers the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. Objectivity is seen as an important part of the scientific process, and involves value freedom and open-mindedness. Sociology may want to be a science due to modernity and the rise of technology. Scientists may be interested in how individual’s actions are influenced by the rise of technology and the secularisation of religion. Thus they may conclude that the only way in which they can be studied is through observations and experiments, such as lab experiments; which take place in controlled factors with controlled factors, as Popper suggests, science involves the hypothetico-deductive method to test through research. Also positivists argue that it should be a science when studying social facts. Arguably, Sociology wouldn’t want to be seen as a science, as the association with science connotes that we are dealing with emotionless electrons and atoms, as opposed to people with feelings and emotions. Thus some would disagree with the idea that objectivity that is associated with studying people within society, which science influences, as we are people and we cannot disconnect ourselves from society. For example, it is not simple to disconnect yourself when studying a rape or murder case. Positivism is the...
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...What is Sociology of Education? Posted on December 27, 2010 by Sitwe This essay will firstly define education and sociology then it will define what sociology of education is and come up with a suitable definition on sociology of education from various definitions. This suitable definition will be discussed further because it speaks much of what goes on in education system. Peter Snelson (1974) defines education as a condition of human Survival. It is the means where by one generation Transmits the wisdom, knowledge and experience Which prepares the next generation for life duties And pleasure. This definition on education helps us to act with more insight and more intelligence in molding the youth in an acceptable manner. We can give a sound academic mission to the youth by teaching them survival skills such as carpentry, pottery, basketry and other survival skills which can better their lives. Human beings not only acquire new skills but also form the society. To this effect parents and teachers should work hand in hand in order to help the youths themselves have knowledge and in coming up with relevant ways it’s a matter of assisting them. By teaching the young ones, knowledge is transmitted from one generation to the next. This simply enlightens us that education is a continuous process. The statement “sky is the limit” helps us to have a wide knowledge about all aspects of education. Education prepares individuals to do things it is their responsibility to do them. For instance...
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...Science relating to sociology is based upon the debate of how society should be studied. There two perspectives, Positivism and Interpretivism. Positivists such as Emile Durkheim believed that society can be studied with the same methods as all other natural sciences as Sociology is known as a social science. Interpretivists such as Weber argue that knowledge is based upon people's interpretations of things. Positivist sociologists argue that the methods used to study and research natural sciences can be used to study people within society, and that by doing this research problems within society can be resolved and social progress can be attained. Positivists believe that reality does exist and not is a figment of individuals minds which means it can objectively be studied and give factual results. Positivists prefer to use methods of research which will give them easily quantifiable results which they can then use to observe patterns and new laws within society. Positivists aim to find these patterns within society as they can then make general statements about society works. Comte believed that sociology was a science as it shared the same basics with sociology of trying to find cause and effects, and that by applying these scientific methods true objectivity would be able to attained. The view a positivist would take is that reality is not random but is made up of patterns allowing us to research it quantifiably. And that this quantifiable data would allow for sociologists...
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...Definition of Sociology The subject has been looked from various points of view and now it is an opportune time to define the subject properly. According to P.A. Sorokin “sociology is a generalizing science of socio-cuitural phenomena viewed in their generic forms, types, and manifold interconnections. ” (Bierstedt, 1970. 3-28) Sociology is the scientific study of human society and social behaviour. The subject matter of sociology is huge and complex, and the knowledge produced by sociological research is still imperfect in many ways. However, it has taught us a great deal about ourselves. (RotarTson, 1977 :3) No formal definition of sociology is very satisfactory. Short definitions don’t really define; long definitions are clumsy. Yet a definition of some sort is needed, and sociology is often defined as the scientific study of human social life.. Human beings behave differently from other animals. They have unique forms of group life; they pursue customs, develop institutions, and create values. Sociology applies scientific methods to the study of these phenomena in the research for scientific knowledge. Sociology concentrates its study upon the group life of human beings and the product of their group living. (HurTon and Chester 1984: 25-27) The sociologist is especially interested in the customs, traditions, and values which emerge from group living, and in the way group living is, in turn, affected by these customs, traditions, and values. Sociology is interested in the...
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