Can Sociology be value free Flashcards
How may the research process be value free?
choosing what topic, obtaining funding, operationalising key concepts, recording responses, selecting what findings to include in the report
How can Comte and Durkheim be labelled?
labelled as “Positivists” in the truest sense in that they both share the enlightenment view that a better society can be produced by studying it in an objective, value-free, scientific and systematic manner (social facts)
What does Marx say abouts sociology being value free?
applied scientific, objective, value-free historical research into the development of capitalism via different class based societies throughout history. Marx values the strengths of communism, taking for granted that it is “ideal” i.e.- this is not an objective approach.
How can we argue that Marx’s research was not value free and not objective?
clearly favours proletariat therefore not impartial.
What does Weber say about sociology being value free?
Values are actually important to sociological research, social facts do x tell us the whole story, e.g.- statistics tell us there’s more divorces but x why. For Weber to truly understand society, we need to search for verstehen.
What does Weber mean when he says research process involves both subjective and objective stages?
subjective- sociologists choose what to study based on personal importance, e.g.- feminists want to study patriarchy.
objective- sociologist can be objective in how research carried out, using data to test hypothesis, x leading Q’s
subjective-values become important again in interpretation of data, must spell out values others aware of bias in interpretation.
What does Weber means when he says sociologists are citizens with a moral duty in their research?
Sociologists are citizens and have moral duty to consider consequences of work, not hide- not hide behind “objectivity” and “value freedom”.
Why does Gouldner say modern positivists are just “spiritless technicians”?
Researchers for rent, hiring themselves out to gather information for organizations such as business and military (Leave values behind).
Why does Myrdal claim it is undesirable to be value free?
Because sociologists should be committed to what they study, bring justice “Take sides”
What is meant by committed sociology? Examples?
sociologists should “Take sides” by embracing values and interests of particular groups.
e.g.-Feminists- aim to create social change (Reinzhart), special relationship with research respondent (Miez)
Becker and “Underdog”- Look at “underdog” x “overdog” like criminals etc, positivists always examines powerful “overdogs”.
What do Relativists mean by pluralism of truth?
Every truth is true for the individual- every truth is valid, truth is subjective.
How does the relativists argument fit into the value freedom debate?
Postmodernists believe debate of value freedom is largely irrelevant, truth is subjective and we can’t define it, therefore x point in trying.
How can we challenge Postmodernists ideas of relatvisim?
Postmodernists saying there is no one unifying dominant truth yet insinuate their theory is true- contradictory
