Topic 7: Objectivity and values in Sociology Flashcards
Marx
Saw himself as a scientist whose research could reveal the line of development of society. Marx’s role was to reveal the truth, especially to the proletariat. Takes for granted the ideal communist society and believes his research will help us deliver it.
Weber
Values are separate to facts- they cannot be proven or disproven by them.
Social reality is made up of a meaningless infinity of facts making it impossible to study it totally. Values help us to chose what to study. We develop concepts which help us understand values. This is value relevance.
Data collection and hypothesis testing- we must be unbiased when actually collecting facts, and once they are gathered we must use them to test the hypothesis.
Values influence our choice of theoretical framework with which we interpret data
Sociologists must take moral responsibility for any harm there research may do
Modern positivists
Science is concerned with matters of fact not value so sociologists should remain morally neutral. Their job is to establish the truth of behaviours, not praise or condemn them. Critics argue that this was to give sociology the same respectability that science has in modern society.
Gouldner
By the 1950s American sociologists had become mere ‘spiritless technicians’. They had become problems takes who solved organisations’ problems for them and did not challenge accepted authority as they had before. By leaving their own values behind sociologists were making a gentleman’s promise that they would not rock the boat. Because they were simply hired hands they saw their own values as irrelevant to their work.
Value free sociology is impossible and undesirable, as without them sociologists are merely putting their services at the disposal of the highest bidder.
Should take the side of those fighting back not those on their back.
Myrdal
Sociologists should not only spell out their values they should openly take sides- by supporting the values and interests of parrot ulnar groups.
Becker
Interactionist- values are always present in sociology- traditionally those of the powerful. Sociologists should take a compassionate stance and take the side of the underdogs because less is known about them so there story needs to be told to redress the balance.
Goffman
To describe the situation of a mental patient faithfully we must take their side and be biased against the psychiatrist.
Comte and Durkheim
Early positivists- enlightenment/modernist view- sociology’s job was to discover the truth and laws about society. With this knowledge problems could be solved. Sociologist can find how society works objectively, and would then be able to prescribe how things ought to be.
