Sociology as science

Question 1

what are the 5 components for subject to be considered a science?

Answer 1

1. empirical: info can be counted
2. testable: can be examined many times
3. theoretical: uncovers casual relationships between phenomena
4. cumulative: build on prev knowledge
5. objective: science builds out personal prejudice

Question 2

how is sociology a science (yes)?

Answer 2

• yes if follows scientific methods used by Popper + Durkheim
• deductive approach- begin with theory + uses data to test. Popper
• inductive approach- should come from ev from gathering data-Durkheim
• falsification must be possible

Question 3

how is sociology not a science (no)?

Answer 3

• Weber- should study society from perspective of others (vertshen) requiring subjectivity- doesnt make scientific
• interpretivists would say cant study it like natural science bc its people

Question 4

how is sociology a science sometimes (it depends)?

Answer 4

Thomas Kuhn
science went through paradigm shifts
1. pre-science
2. normal science
3. revolutionary science
sociology in pre-science stage as no dominant perspective. needs to find unifying theory
- realism- most science sterotypically seen as physics

Question 5

is science scientific?

Answer 5

• rorty- scientists have replaced priests
• lyotard- science lang has developed so hard for av person to understand + question

Question 6

should sociology want to be seen as a science?

Answer 6

can cause harm by being used to damage humanity for the benefit of the few eg medical harm