is sociology a science? Flashcards
(9 cards)
What do interpretivists argue about the study of human society?
It must include subjective views, opinions, emotions, and values that cannot be directly observed or counted.
Interpretivists emphasize the importance of understanding human experiences and meanings.
According to interpretivists, what cannot be established in social research?
Social facts.
They believe that society is based on subjective values and interpretations.
What is the conclusion of interpretivists regarding sociology as a science?
Sociology is not a science and should not attempt to be one.
They argue that human behavior cannot be understood like chemical reactions.
How do positivists approach sociology, according to interpretivists?
They try to make sociology scientific, which interpretivists believe misses the truth.
Positivists focus on measurable and reliable data.
What do interpretivists believe about human feelings and meanings?
They cannot be genuinely revealed through tick boxes and percentages.
Interpretivists stress the complexity of human emotions.
What do postmodernists argue about scientific theories in sociology?
They consider them metanarratives, which are big stories with no real validity.
This critique extends beyond sociology to other fields as well.
What is a critical follow-up question to the argument that sociology should not be a science?
What is sociology then?
This question challenges the validity and usefulness of sociology as an academic discipline.
How do critics view the practical applications of sociology focused on subjective views?
They question its seriousness as an academic subject.
Critics argue that without general theories, sociology may resemble journalism.
What was Weber’s stance on the objectivity of sociological study?
He argued that sociologists should study in an entirely objective way while being interested in subjective opinions.
Weber is recognized as a founding figure of social action approaches in sociology.
