Sociology cannot, and should not be a science

Question 1

What are the four reasons why sociology cannot, and should not be a science

Answer 1

Interpretivist

Committed sociology

Paradigms

Falsification

Question 2

Interpretivist

Answer 2

Scientific research methods are inappropriate to study society. society cannot fit into a lab or be quantified

Interpretivists argue that sociologist should seek to gain verstehen in the sociological research
They believe that the data should be quantified and generated

Douglas has criticised Durkheims study of suicide as he uses quantitative data and seeks to study suicide using official statistics

This is because interpretivist believe that issues such as suicide should be studied, sensitively using qualitative data to allow the researcher to gain an in-depth data and empathy towards the participant

Question 3

Committed sociology

Answer 3

Marxist sociologist argue that sociologists should be committed to their discipline by openly taking sides

They should be advocating for values and interests of a particular group and individuals which is the underdogs of society

Feminist would also take a similar stance by arguing that sociology should be on the side of females, so they have a voice in the patriarchal society

And the empathising with these participants also allows researchers to gain verstehen

The natural sciences are value free, and the opinions of scientists are not expected in the scientific research

This highlights the significant difference between social and natural sciences

Question 4

Paradigms

Answer 4

Paradigms is a shared set of assumptions

For example all biologists believe in photosynthesis, and base their future research on this assumption

A paradigm tells research as how they ought to think, and behave and scientists come to accept the paradigm because of their socialisation

According to kuhn science cannot exist without a shared paradigm, because without a shared consensus there would only be rival thoughts, and not a unified body of research

Sociology does not have a paradigm as competing theories exist. For example, the new right are not in agreement with feminists. This indicates that there is no shared set of assumptions.

Question 5

Falsification

Answer 5

Popper argues that what makes science unique is falsificationism and a scientific statement is one that can be proven wrong

In relation to sociology, this is often seen as unscientific because it consists of theories which cannot cannot be put to the test. Therefore it cannot be falsified.