Week 4: Sociological Theories Flashcards
Theory
A statement that tries to explain how certain facts or variables are related in order to predict future events, it has to have an explanation
- a group of linked ideas to explain something
- it’s a way of understanding, and a way of planning it’s core generalization
(Like when people say that the world in flat)
Opinion
A view or judgement formed about something, not necessarily based on a fact or knowledge
- deeply personal, depends on our feelings, taste and ideas about the world
- OUR VIEW of the world, it finest need any expertise explanation
- opinion influences our preference for a certain theory
Facts
A thing that is know to be proved true, has actual existence
(You and your friend argue about who is going to win. The score from the last game is a FACT, the STATEMENT (what is outside their head) is that their team has the best defence. That’s not true, no evidence)
Teleological
When you believe things progress in a series of steps or stages
Common Sense Assumptions
Blend of personal tastes and opinions.
- Due to the wisdom you received from family/ friends and knowledge gained from schools, church, media, political leaders
According to Terry Eagleton…
Children make the best theories, since they have not been educated into our routine as social practices “the natural”
Defamiliarization
Looking at objects or situations in an unfamiliar way, so it allows you to have a fresh perspective
Mapping Social Relation (any relationship or interaction between two or more individuals)
a map is a good example of abstraction, because it takes our unnecessary details. They filter out unnecessary things, so that the key elements stand out.
- Social Theories map the spaces we navigate
What is the aim of Social Theory?
To make the complex web of Social Relation we negotiate everyday visible to us
Basics of Classical Theory
Sociological theory is that the contemporary world is the outcome of a transition from “Traditional” to “Modern Society”
Classical Sociological Theory: towards a science of society
Thinkers in the 19th century needed a structure/ reference that would allow for
- identification and contemplation (looking at it throughly)
- anticipation of the consequences
What term did Henri de Saint Simon introduced?
“Industrial Society”
- brought a new era in human history
- this new society would accept FATALISM (attitude of the mind which accepts whatever happens, their destiny)
Classical Sociological Theory:
Social Physiology
The study of how a individual or group is influenced by the presence and behaviour of others
- the belief that society may be studied as if it were an organism: showing GROWTH, ORDER, STABILITY and CAUSE -and- EFFECT
Classical Sociological Theory:
Observation
Laws of social organization (the basis on which humans could construct the best of all possible forms of social organization)
Saint Simon contribution to Sociology
- said that the shift from NEXT TO NEXT stages involves a CRISIS
- conservative guy, he wanted to remain traditional
– used the principles of scientific study of society
What was Auguste Comte main focus in Sociology?
Positivism
Who is Auguste Comte and what shaped his view of Positivism?
- Sainte Simon’s secretary, but later on he became his own scholar
- born in the French Revolution, who his works is based around it
- Revolution, violence, conservatism, and industrialism and how that reconciled
What did Comte want to call “Sociology”, the study of society
Social Physics
Social Physiology involves a 3 part program….
- observing the course of civilization
- laws of humanity
- polytheistic stage, like Christian or religious practices
Positivism
A philosophical system that states that the only authentic knowledge is scientific knowledge, and knowledge can only come from positive statement of theories through the scientific method, and rejects metaphysics (none realistic theories) and theism (the belief in the existence of god(S).
- for example: organs have to work together to be alive, like when we look at society we have to work together to evolve society.
For Evolution of Knowledge what had to be done?
- Civilization had to progress, changing our nature to fit our needs
- the human mind and human knowledge move through stages
Theological
- imagination rules over observation
- the study of religion and gods