Ideologies science and religion Flashcards
IDEOLOGY AND SCIENCE
Science as a belief system
Many sociologists see modern science product of the process of rationalisation began with the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. Some sociologists, such as secularisation theorists undermined religion by changing the way we think and how we see the world.
The impact of science
-Science over the last few centuries helped eradicated many fatal diseases. Scientific knowledge and technological development - transport
-Science and technology have revolutionised economic productivity and raised our standard of living to previously led to a widespread ‘faith in science’ – a belief that it can ‘deliver the goods’.
-Science may cause problems as well as solve them. Pollution, global heating and weapons of mass destruction. Created its own ‘manufactured risks’ that increasingly threaten the planet.
-The ‘good’ & the ‘bad’ effects of science key feature distinguishing it from other belief systems or knowledge. Science enables us to explain, predict and control the world in a way that non-scientific or pre-scientific belief systems cannot do.
Open belief systems
Karl Popper- science is an ‘open’ belief system every scientist’s theories are open to criticism and testing by others. Science is governed by the principle of falsificationism- Scientists tests theories seeking evidence that would disprove them. If evidence is found the theory is discarded and a better explanation is liked for.
-Popper’s view, discarding falsified knowledge Scientific knowledge is cumulative builds on the achievements of previous scientists to develop a more and deeper understanding of the world around us.
-Popper’s see scientific knowledge is that it is not sacred or absolute truth it can always be questioned, criticised, tested and sometimes shown to be false.
Functionalist Merton science institutions
-Functionalist Merton argues science can only thrive as a major social institution if it receives support from other institutions and values.
-First occurred in England result of the values and attitudes created by the Protestant Reformation, especially Puritanism (a form of Calvinism).
-Their belief and study led to an appreciation of God’s works, encouraged them to experiment. Puritanism stressed social welfare, and science could produce technological inventions to improve the conditions of life.
-Science Institutions received support from economic and military institutions value of the practical applications of science became obvious in areas such as mining, navigation and weaponry.
The CUDOS norms
-Merton identifies four such norms, known as ‘CUDOS’ :
-Communism Scientific knowledge is not private property. Must be share with the scientific community (by publishing their findings); otherwise, knowledge cannot grow.
-Universalism The truth or falsity of scientific knowledge is judged by universal, objective criteria (such as testing), not by the race, sex of scientist who produces
it.
-Disinterestedness This means being committed to discovering knowledge for its own sake. Having to publish their findings, harder for scientists to practise fraud, since it enables others to check their claims.
-Organised Scepticism No knowledge-claim is regarded as ‘sacred’. Every idea is open to questioning, criticism and objective investigation.
Thomas Khum critic Popper
-Believes that science as a discipline is actually a closed belief system as it had paradigms that dominate it such as:
Scientific research is conducted by creating hypotheses. Kuhn argues that scientific generally works within a pre-existing framework that does not encourage creative freedom. Those who follow this guidelines tend to be rewarded where as those who question how science should work tend to be ridiculed and marganislied. In this view science is in many ways similar to other ideologies as its denounced all belifes that challenge its care principles
Examples as religion as a closed belief system
Azande beliefs link natural events to witchcraft, where misfortunes (like being bitten) are often seen as the result of jealous neighbors rather than chance. Accusations of witchcraft can lead to practice is taking place to see if the person was deemed guilty. This process helps clear tensions, prevents grudges, and promotes social harmony. Witchcraft beliefs also hold parents accountable, ensuring social control and conformity within the community.
The sociology of scientific knowledge
Interprativists argue the scientific knowledge is socially constructed. Scientists study in the laboratory is highly ‘constructed’ & for removed from the ‘natural’ world they are supposedly studying.
Marxism & feminism see science as serving the interests of dominat groups (the RC or men respectively) Many scientific developments are driven by capitalist need for knowledge to make profit.
Woolgar
Woolar argue that scientific have to persuade that scientific community to accept their interpretations of the world. A scientific fact is simply a shared socially constructed beliefs.
- Pulsars discovered in 1967 from radio telescope signals.
- Initial patterns labeled ‘LGM1’ and ‘LGM2’.
- Initially not accepted by scientists.
- Later recognized as signals from stars, but meanings still debated.
Woolgar notes scientific fact just socially constructed not neccicerily a real thing ‘out there’
Ideology
Worldview or a set of ideas and values a belief system. There are different meanings and sociology:
-Ideas conceal the interests of the particular group or that legitimizes justify their privileges.
-Ideas that prevent change by misleading people are
-A self-sustaining belief system that had rationale and closed criticism.
Marxist science and religion
Ideology in science and religion manipulated by the RC produced inequalities justify capitalist system and prevent working class revolutions. Science discoveries generate massive profit, fuelling capitalism further.
Michalowski and Kramer’s Studied pharmaceutical companies who produce vital medicines sold them at high prices only the wealthy could afford. Sold unsafe medicines to developing countries. not yet been tested to maintain profits
WC and capitalism
-In WC of interest to overthrow capitalism by societal revolution and replace it with classless communism society in which production are collectives and not privately owned benefit the whole of society.
-Class consciousness- awareness of the true position and exploitation ‘wage slaves.’
-Victim blaming ideas about poverty Bowles calles ‘Poor and dumb’ theory of meritocracy. Everyone has an equal chance in life fail because they are stupid or lazy. Racist ideas about the inferior ethnic minority groups divided black and white workers. Ideas instilled through education, mass media, and religion.
The ideologies of Nationalism
-Nationalism an important political ideology has major impact on world over the last 200 years.
-Claims that nationalities are real distinct communities, each with its own unique characteristics
-Nationality loyalty and identity should come first over class religion ect
Benedict Anderson. Nations only imagined community, not a real one. Although identities within we will never know most of its other members. This imagined community combined millions of strangers together and create a sense of community and purpose.
Marxism, Nationalities and False Consciousness
Marxism view nationalism as a form of false class consciousness that helps prevent the overthrowing of capitalism by dividing the international working class. because nationalism encourage workers to believe that they have more in common with the capitalism of their country than workers of other countries this has enabled the ruling class to reach a capitalist country to persuade the working class to fight wars on their behalf
Functionalism nationalism as a civil religion
Religion integrates individuals into large scales by making them feel part of something greater than themselves. Most people may be willing to believe in supernatural beliefs and in multi faith societies where religion can be a source of division. Nationalities unites everyone in a sense of national community regardless of differences like class or religion. education helps to create this social solidarity by individual nationalities symbols such as the flag and fundamental british values
Gellner natinalism and modernity
Nationalism is a false consciousness in that it does not have a long history, but is in fact a very modern phenomenon. Premodern societies didn’t require nationalism as a source. Societies were held together by face to face relationships in small communities with a fixed hiyaracy of subscribed status.
Industrialisation created large scale impersonal societies where most citizens are of equal status
-In modern society, nationalism makes it possible for communication of complete strangers to take place essential for economy by using mass education systems to impose a singular standard, national culture, langue to all
Feminism and ideology
-Gender inequality is a fundamental division in society
-Pauline Marks science has been used to justify excluding women from education. In 19th century male doctors, scientists and educationalists expressing the view that educating females would lead to the creation of ‘a new race of puny and unfeminine’ females
-Religious beliefs and practices been used to define women as inferior. Women are ritually impure or unclean. Purification rituals such as ‘churching’ after a woman has given birth. In some Christian churches, a new mother may not receive communion until after she has been churched.
