is sociology a science - Popper

Question 1

is popper a sociologist

Answer 1

no

Question 2

what does he reject?

Answer 2

He rejects that science lies in inductive reasoning and verification as the process of moving from a observation to a general law cannot be achieved

Question 3

Define the fallacy of induction

Answer 3

error of collecting data with verification may lead to the wrong generalisation as other explanations may occur - not the absolute truth is gathered as ( only focussing on one sole reason)

Question 4

so what does popper believe about verification

Answer 4

We need to reject verification as a key feature of science
* Does not believe it is possible to verify so to claim a law of human behaviour is not possible

• Due to the fact that if you’re trying to prove your hypothesis you could make the wrong generalisation (as only focussing on one explanation)

Question 5

what should be used insted of verification?

Answer 5

falsification

Question 6

define falsification

Answer 6

a statement that is scientific is one that can be falsified -proved wrong by evidence

• Believes a scientific truth is one that can be falsified → proved wrong by evidence likely to be true compared to another theory

Question 7

what are the two features of theory ?

Answer 7

• Is falsifiable → so when tested it withstand all the attempts to disprove it
• It is bold → claims to explain a great deal and wide generalisations can be made so is at risk with being falsified than a small theory that only tries to explain small evens

Question 8

What does popper believe about truth ?

Answer 8

Believes all knowledge is temporary and is capable to change at any moment
* truth is never fixed it is always changing ( is relative it changes never stays fixed changes upon the research)

• A good theory is not necessarily a true one - it is simply one that has withstood attempts to falsify it

Question 9

what does he believe a good theory is?

Answer 9

A good theory is not necessarily a true one - it is simply one that has withstood attempts to falsify it

Question 10

Does he believe science thrives in an open or closed society?

Answer 10

Argues for a theory to be falsifiable it needs to be open for criticism

• Sees science as open to criticism with flaws in theories to be exposed and better theories are developed → explains why scientific knowledge grows so rapidly
• Argues that science thrives in (open societies) which is where the right to challenge ideas is accepted

Question 11

Why does sientific knowledge grow so rapidly ?

Answer 11

Sees science as open to criticism with flaws in theories to be exposed and better theories are developed → explains why scientific knowledge grows so rapidly

Question 12

Does he think sociology is a science

Answer 12

Argues some of it is and some of it is not

Question 13

what parts of sociology does he deem not scientific

Answer 13

Many old sociological theories cannot be falsified so is deemed not scientific
E.g Marxism → arguing there will be a revolution leading to a classless society - but has not yet happened due to false class consciousness - so the prediction cannot be falsified and if there is a revolution it is correct but even if there isnt it still is

Question 14

What parts of sociology does he deem scientific?

Answer 14

Some of the new sociology → is scientific in some instances being able to produces hypotheses and be falsified
E.g nuclear family does socialisation best
Ford hypothesised comprehensive schools would ^ social mixing from different social classes and this was able to be tested and falsified.