Sociology is a science of society. It studies society using scientific methods and techniques. Sociology was first named "Social Physics." Human behavior is distinct from nature, and cannot be completely based on natural sciences.
3. Meaning of Science..
Science as a term is derived from the latin word Scientia meaning
gaining knowledge in the form of testable explanation
The term science refers to the body of knowledge obtained by
methods based on systematic observation
Science is the use of systematic methods of empirical
investigation, analysis of Data, theoretical thinking, and logical
assessment of arguments to develop a body of knowledge about a
particular subject matter.
Sociology is a scientific endeavour and fulfils all requirement of
science.
4. Is Sociology a science?
SCIENCE
Systemati
c
organized
Based on
facts
Observatio
n
Experimentatio
n
Collection of
Data
Cause &
Effect
RELATIONSHI
P
Hypothesis
6. Sociology is a Science
August Comte- Sociology like other scientific disciplines is
regulated by some natural Laws
Emile Durkheim- Sociology is a science as it adopts and
utilizes the scientific methods
Sociology is based on reason and evidence
Based on interview questionnaires and case studies
Sociology has aims to provide general laws as it studies
various societies and then formulates general consensus.
It is capable of accurate observation even though it lacks a
laboratory.
Study on Suicide by Durkheim co- related different causes
with different effects
7. Study of Suicide by Durkheim co-relating cause &effect
Altruistic Suicide
To much integration
Often a result of excessive regulation of individuals
by social forces such that a person may be moved to
kill themselves for the benefit of a cause or for
society at large. Example-hijackers that crashed
the airplanes into the World Trade Center, the
Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania in 2001.
Egoistic Suicide
Too Less integration-
Bonds are weakened through retirement or loss of
family and friends, the likelihood of egoistic
suicide increases
Fatalistic Suicide
Occurs under conditions of extreme social
regulation
Resulting in oppressive conditions and a denial of
the self and of agency. In such a situation a person
may elect to die rather than continue enduring the
oppressive conditions, such as the case of suicide
among prisoners.
Anomic Suicide- Too Less Regulation
Normlesness, Anomie occurs during periods of
serious social, economic, or political upheaval,
which result in quick and extreme changes to
society and everyday life. In such circumstances, a
person might feel so confused and disconnected
that they choose to commit suicide. Lack of social
cohesion.
8. Robert Bierstedt
American Sociologist
Born- 1913, USA
Died- 1998, Virginia USA
He was a student of Russian Sociologist Pritrim
Sorokin
Books-
1- The Social Order (1974)
2-American Sociological Theory: A critical
history (1981)
9. Nature of Sociology as per Bierstadt's “The Social Order”
Sociology is a Social and Not a Physical Science- studies social Behaviour and
activities
Sociology is an independent science- not a branch of any other discipline. It has
created its own subject matter and is not treated as branch of any other science.
Sociology has also created its many sub-disciplines and branches.
Sociology is categorical and not Normative science- studies what is and not what
ought to be . It is Ethically neutral. It is neither moral nor immoral but Amoral,
Does not make any value Judgements. Acquires knowledge of society the way it is in
the present duration. Sociology is a contemporary discipline
Sociology is an Abstract Science not a concrete science- studies-marriage, religion,
social relationships, traditions etc. It is more focussed on family as an institution and
not any family in particular. As a science sociology proceeds on the plane of
abstractions.
10. Sociology is a General Science and not particularising Science- Seeks
general principles about human behaviour. Does not study any specific battle
but war as a recurrent social phenomenon. Sociology addresses social issues
by acquiring objective knowledge free from bias.
Sociology is a pure science and not an applied science.- More concerned with
the acquisition of knowledge. Applied aspect of Sociology is Social Work.
Pure- ACQUISITION of knowledge,
Applied- APPLICATION of Knowledge
Sociology is both Rational and Empirical Science- based on experimentation,
collection of data reason, logical inference, cause and effect. It is also a
practical discipline.
11. Objections for Sociology as a Science
Subject matter of sociology is too
complex to be studied scientifically
Too young a discipline to develop
its laws and principles as that of
Natural Sciences
Lacks Scientific
Objectivity
Incapable of measuring
its subject matter
No Predictability
No Laboratories
Incapability to be free
from bias
Sociology is not an Exact
Science
