Sociology Cant Be A Science

Question 1

Interpretivists (Douglas)

Answer 1

Society cannot fit into a lab or be quantified which positivists seek to do. Sociologists should seek to gain verstehen for detailed qualitative data. Criticises Durkheim as suicide should be studied sensitively and with empathy.

Question 2

Committed sociology (gouldner)

Answer 2

Sociologists should take sides when advocating the values of a particular group, specifically the underdogs of society. Feminists would argue that we should be on the die of women so they have a voice in the patriarchal society. Natural sciences are value free and objective.

Question 3

Paradigms

Answer 3

This is a shred set of assumptions which people with the same discipline hold which tells researchers how to think and behave. The natural sciences have this whereas sociology does not as none of the theories agree with eachother on anything.

Question 4

Falsification (popper)

Answer 4

Science is unique as it can be falsified and proven wrong. Sociology cannot be falsified because they are theories. Marx predicted a revolution but this has not happened because of false class consciousness. This cannot be proven right or wrong.