Value Freedom Flashcards
objectivity definition
The researcher should be uninfluenced by personal feelings, beliefs, or opinions. This is favoured by positivists
subjectivity definition
we are inevitably biased in sociology as we are part of the society we are studying
What did Comte believe for sociology being value free?
Sociology should be a prescriptive science to propose remedies for social and moral problems such as how to stop/reduce poverty
What did Durkheim believe for sociology being value free?
He used scientific methods n his suicide study which could then be applied to helping the rest of the world. Collecting qualitative data can be used to test theories , establish cause and effect behaviour, and make predictions.
Why do some people believe value freedom is a myth?
It is impossible for sciences to be completely value free as facts are meaningless. They only make sense once interpreted which is biased depending on what mental framework you are working on e.g. feminism, functionalism, and Marxism. glass half full/ empty = optimism and pessimism
What did gouldner think about sociology being value free?
Value freedom is a value laden concept. People hide behind it to protect their own careers and not criticising society. It not calling out equalities sociologists help the powerful in society when they have a duty to stand up for and protect the downtrodden and forgotten
What did Weber think about sociology being value free?
Sociologists hide behind terms like objectivity and value freedom to avoid moral and political responsibility for the problems raised by their research. they must take moral responsibility for the harm their research might do.
What do postmodernists think about sociology being value free?
Value freedom simply reflects the values and assumptions of competing sociologists. There is no objective truth (Lyotard) and sociology is just another meta narrative claiming to have superior knowledge and absolute truth. F**k you
