Objectivity and Values Flashcards
What do positivists believe about science and values?
All positivists believe that science should tell us what our values must be.
What is the purpose of sociology according to positivists?
The purpose of sociology is to discover the truth about society and uncover laws that govern its proper functioning, which is then used to help improve social problems and improve life.
What is Weber’s stance on values in sociology?
Weber disagrees with positivists and believes we should make a sharp distinction between value judgments and facts.
What are Weber’s four views on values within sociology?
- Values as a guide to research argues that we select facts to study based on their value relevance to us
- Data collection and hypothesis testing must be objective when collecting facts and keep values/prejudices out of the process.
- Values in the interpretation of data- must outline our values in a framework, so others can see if unconscious bias is present.
- Values and the sociologists as a citizen - scientists must not dodge the moral/political issues their work raises by hiding behind words such as ‘value freedom’.
What do modern positivists believe about a sociologist’s values?
Modern positivists believe that a sociologist’s own values are irrelevant to the research.
What are the two reasons modern positivists believe sociologists’ values are irrelevant?
- The desire to appear scientific- science is seen as a respectable field of study, so sociology aims to share the same values, such as objectivity as a way to make sociology more respectable and gain prestige. 2. The social position of science.
Committed sociology =value laden
What does committed sociology argue regarding values?
Committed sociology argues we should openly take sides, as value-free sociology is seen as impossible and undesirable.
What is Becker’s view on taking sides in sociology?
Becker argues we should take the side of the ‘underdog’ such as a mental patient to tell their story and redress the balance so that we can give them a voice and we can reveal a previously hidden side of social reality.
Criticism of the Beck
What does Gouldner criticize about taking sides in sociology?
Gouldner states that we should take the side of those who fight back (less powerful) and help them make change as sociology should not confine itself to describing the viewpoint of the underdog.
What are two reasons a sociologist may abandon their values?
- The funding body that pays for the research controls its direction. 2. They may wish to further their careers/reputations.
How does value stance impact research methods?
Interactionists prefer qualitative methods, while positivists/functionalists prefer quantitative data.
What is the criticism regarding facts produced by interactionists and functionalists?
They can be accused of selecting methods that produce facts reflecting their values and outlook.
What do relativists and postmodernists believe about truth?
Relativists and postmodernists believe there is no absolute truth and no ‘privileged accounts’ that have special access to the truth.
What is the paradox in the relativist perspective?
They argue there’s no objective truth while claiming something is absolutely true.
