Sociology as a Science: Key Characteristics and Perspectives
Sociology as a Science
Like all scientific knowledge, sociology is characterized by four traits:
It is a systematic body of knowledge, i.e., a logical system of abstract propositions related to each other. This presupposes that there is order in society and that this order can be discovered, described, and understood by man. This assumption is shared by other sciences. Perhaps most peculiar to sociological knowledge is its declared interest in order and disorder, as this also occurs with certain regularities typeable and therefore reducible to laws, the ultimate goal of the scientist.
It is a cumulative body of knowledge in constant search of empirical generalization and an even more ambitious goal, still far from a general sociological theory. This cumulative nature of science inevitably explains the deficiencies recognized in Sociology: hesitations, contradictions, ambiguities, steps back, and so on. Sociology as a science has really just taken its first steps.
It’s a knowledge that doses, i.e., prevents and prohibits judgments. Some authors even use the term “amoral approach” of science. The scientist tries to establish and analyze a number of facts relevant to their discipline and thus obtain a more accurate and lucid understanding of reality. It aims to provide moral definitions. As sociology is interested in cultural values that shape society and the controversy about the character appraisals of scientific sociology has a long tradition. Here is a brief summary of it concentrated in four very prominent sociologists.
Emile Durkheim: Try making a science of sociology. Sociology should and can be perfectly objective. For this, the sociologist must follow three specific rules:
- Treat social facts as things, as objects.
- Freedom from all kinds of preconceptions, which for him is a difficult task since most of their preconceptions have a big emotional or sentimental component.
- Practice methodical doubt about the whole idea received through an extra-channel.
Max Weber: The objectivity of sociological knowledge is possible and is a must, but the difficulties are very great. In any case, the sociologist cannot prevent the selection of topics for research and study, the approach of their analysis, and organization of their presentation involved some form of personal values of the study. Objectivity is necessary and possible through the use of the method chosen: it is not here to replace the description and explanation of social phenomena for the evening demonstration of a preference or personal value judgments.
Karl Mannheim: Objectivity is impossible in Sociology. All knowledge proper to a human science is determined by the researcher’s values and its position in the social context. Only intellectuals enjoy greater freedom, but not complete, in search of a truth valid for all.
Gyorgy Lukacs: Objectivity can be if we understand it as an expression of consciousness of the proletariat limit. Only historical materialism as sociological knowledge can claim universal validity.
Today, above all sociological problems, there is a sociological thinking. One way to explain social issues and facts that have a discipline, knowledge, knowledge. It is characterized by 2 things:
- For the development of new research techniques
- With promising a search with some intellectual coherence.