objectivity and values Flashcards
(17 cards)
1
Q
what did early positivists believe?
A
- Believed sociology should be a science just like physics or biology
- Saw sociology as a tool for improving society through scientific knowledge
- Believed values and facts are connected and that science tells us what’s best for society
2
Q
what did Marx believe ?
A
- saw sociology as scientific
- Used a method called historical materialism which was studying how society changes through class conflict
- Believed sociology could reveal the truth about society’s development
- His aim was to help the working class (proletariat) realise their role in overthrowing capitalism
- Saw communism as the ideal society, and science could help achieve that.
- Like Comte and Durkheim, he believed in combining science with values to change society
3
Q
What is Weber’s view?
A
- Strongly separated facts from values believed they are not the same
- for example even if data shows divorce leads to more suicides, that doesn’t tell us what should be done about divorce, that’s a value judgement
- believes facts alone cannot tell us what is right or wrong.
- Still saw a role for values in research, but not in the same way as the positivists or Marx
- Argued sociologists should strive to be value-free, especially when presenting findings
4
Q
how are values important in guiding research ?
A
- Social reality is made up of an infinite number of facts so we can’t study everything
- So, sociologists must choose which facts to study based on what they value or find important — these are “value-relevant” facts
- for example, Feminists value gender equality, so they choose to study patriarchy and women’s oppression
- Therefore, values guide what we study and what concepts we create to understand society
5
Q
how are values important in gathering data?
A
- When gathering data, values must be left out
- The sociologist must be objective and unbiased — no leading questions or manipulations.
- The hypothesis should be tested fairly and its success should depend on whether or not it fits the evidence
- This stage must be as scientific and value-free as possible
6
Q
how are values important in interpreting data?
A
- Once data is collected, sociologists need a theoretical framework to make sense of it.
- The choice of theory (e.g. Marxism, feminism) is influenced by the sociologist’s values
- That’s OK, Weber says — but sociologists must be honest and transparent about their values so others can spot potential bias
7
Q
what does weber argue about sociologists being a citizen?
A
- Some sociologists claim their job is just to “find facts” and leave it to politicians to use them
- Weber disagrees — he says sociologists are also citizens and moral agents
- They have a responsibility for how their research is used, especially if it might do harm
- For example Einstein’s theories helped create the atomic bomb — but he later spoke out against its use.
- Sociologists should not hide behind “objectivity” to avoid ethical responsibility.
8
Q
what do positivist try do ?
A
- positivists tried to keep their values out of research
- They believed their job was to observe facts, not judge value
9
Q
why do positivists believe to keep values out of research?
A
- 2 main reasons are, Desire to appear scientific and sociology’s social position
- Desire to appear scientific, Science is respected in society — seen as factual and objective. And by copying scientific methods, sociologists hoped to make their discipline more respectable and credible
- Sociology’s social position, Gouldner (1975) says sociologists became “spiritless technicians” in the 1950s, Instead of challenging society, they worked for businesses and governments by solving their problems and they became “problem takers”, not “problem makers”, avoiding any value-based critique of power. They avoided rocking the boat and ignored the moral impact of their research
10
Q
What did Myrdal argue ?
A
- Believed sociologists should not be neutral.
They should declare their values openly and take sides with specific groups.
11
Q
Why is value free sociology not possible in Gouldners view?
A
- Impossible: Either your own values or those of your employer will influence your work.
- Undesirable: Without values, sociologists become tools for whoever pays them, even if it causes harm
12
Q
what does Becker argue?
A
- Sociologists always take sides, even if they claim to be neutral. Traditionally, sociology has sided with the powerful — like police, judges, or psychiatrists.
- We should take the side of the “underdogs” — the poor, criminals, mental patients
- Because Their stories are underrepresented and it helps to reveal hidden sides of society.
13
Q
what was Goffmans example to support Becker ?
A
- said to truly understand mental patients, you must take their side, not the psychiatrist’s
14
Q
What does Gouldner criticise about Becker ?
A
- Accuses Becker of being too sentimental — just telling the stories of the oppressed.
- Says sociology should do more than describe suffering — it should help end it.
- Sociologists should side with those fighting back (e.g. political activists).
- With a goal of exposing how the powerful stay in power and push for social change.
15
Q
who funds sociologists research and what is a downside ?
A
- it’s usually paid for by: Government departments Businesses, or charities
- The funders often control the direction of research
they decide what questions should (and shouldn’t) be asked. They can even block publication if findings are inconvenient or controversial. - This means research may reflect the values and interests of the paymasters, not just the truth
16
Q
what does relativism argue ?
A
- Everyone (including sociologists) sees the world differently due to their values.
No version of the truth is objectively better than any other - For example: Cultures have totally different religious or moral beliefs — each is valid to them
17
Q
what is the problem with relativism ?
A
- If no truth is better than another, how can we judge or improve society?
- It leads to a paradox:
- Postmodernists say, “No one has the truth” — but that statement itself claims to be true!
