Lecture 1 Flashcards
The English Revolution
1642-1649
The French Revolution
1789-1799
The Industrial Revolution
18th to the 19th century
Rationalism
The rejection of God and the acceptance of knowledge coming from human reason
Humanism (closely associated with rationalism)
Idea that humans are the center of the world, not God
Voluntarism
The idea that we have free will and can make our own choices
self reflexivity
The idea that we can reflect on ourselves, how we think and perceive the world
Positivism
Refers to the goal of observing society scientifically to better the society, they mimic procedures of natural science
(Comte)
Empiricism
Focuses on observation by using our senses, which uses a inductive way of thinking
(Newton, Frankle, Locke)
Critical positivism
The key goal is to use scientific knowledge about society to change society ad emphasizes critical thinking guided by science and reason.
(Comte)
sociological positivism
A reaction to critical positivism which is more conservative/traditional
Scientific knowledge is not dogmatic knowledge
sociological positivism
A reaction to critical positivism which is more conservative/traditional
Scientific knowledge is not dogmatic knowledge
Who are the founding fathers of sociology
Enrie du St Simon and student August Comte
Imagined society as organisms of the body
Types of Sociological theory
Positivism
Interpretive theory
Critical theory
What are the 2 key principles of positivism?
Determinism
Empiricism
Determinism
The idea that one thing determines another thing; cause and effect and they look out for universal laws; nomothetic
Empiricism
The view that all knowledge (apart from purely logical relations between concepts) is based on, or derives from, sensory experience
What are positivists criticized for?
That positivist knowledge is very control oriented, about controlling social environments. The critics say that knowledge does not get produced outside of particular areas of interest.
Interpretive theory
Cultural theorists are interested in what motivates us, they study social constructs and intersubjectivity and they are more cautious with objectivity; objectivity is a matter of social convention.
Associated with Weber
Intersubjectivity idiographic
Concept that refers to share beliefs, aspects and cultures
Critical Theory
Most critical to the idea of objective knowledge because truth and knowledge are tied to dominant classes; ideology is a belief system that creates illusions
Associated with Marx
Proletariat or proletarian class
The working class that is dominated in capitalism
Bourgeoisie or bourgeoi class
The capitalists/ruling class
