Is sociology a science Flashcards
Positivism Vs Interpretivism
Positivst:
-science is based on the processes of inductive reasoning+verification
Inductive reasoning:accumulating data in order to build up knowledge about the world
Verificationism:developing a theory which can be confirmed or proven to be correct
-purpose of scientific discovery is to test theories in order to prove them to be true
-scientists use objective methods EG-lab tests to uncover facts about the world
-beliebe sociology can use objective methods similar to natural sciences
-argue human behaviour is patterned and predictable.Controlled by structural forces
-argue quantifiable+detatched methods EG-questionaires can be used
-data is statistical allows researcher to reach objective conclusions
INTERPRETIVIST
-reject view that sociology is a science
-agree with definition positivists say about science but disagree that human behaviour is patterned and predictable
-humans are conscious beings who interpret the world around them,making decisions on how to react to circumstances
-natural sciences study ‘matter’ sociology studies people with free will
-sociologists should use personal methods EG-question aires
-believe in gaining verstehen (empathy)about people in study’s
-argue their methods are more likely to be valid as info is from participant viewpoint
-argue it isn’t necessary for sociology to achieve scientific status
post modernism
-reject view that science is a rational way of studying and developing the world
Science is a meta narrative:big story which seeks to explain how the world works
-scientific ideas have no more validity than non scientific ideas
-All knowledge is relative:what is true for one person might not be true for another
-science has consistently claimed to have a monopoly over the truth as it is backed up by evidence
-monopoly has had dangerous consequences for the world
-science theories are sometimes just wrong
EG-science theories were used tk justify oppression against black people as prone to be less intelligent
-If sociology presents itself as a science which claims to have uncovered the truths when it comes to organising society, could create further problems for our world
EG-Karl marx who declared that communism was the ideal way to run society however when applied it did not work
-Feel it is undesirable for sociology to be scientific->due to science doesn’t always progress in a positive way
-sociologists should focus on offering people different interpretations on how the world works rather than trying to change the structure ans organisation of society which suits their views
