Value laden and free Flashcards
(12 cards)
What was early positvists view of sociology
Comte saw sociologists as latter day priests of a new scientific religion of truth
Marx and historical materialism revelead the truth of development
What does Weber argue about sociological research
sharp distinction between value judgments and facys
no value judgements are proven by facts
What did Weber say values were good for in research
enabling us to select when aspects of reality to study and developing concepts to undersyand
choice of theoretical framework
What are values not useful for according to Weber
when collecting facts we must stay objective as possivle as the hypothesis must stand solely on wether it fits the observed facts
What must sociologists do according to Weber
must not dodge the moral and political issues their works raises and put the uses of their work to the test
What did modern positivists argue
science is concerned with matters of fact not value - sociologists should remain more neutral
How are modern positivists criticised
criticised for the desire to make sociology respectable as it was in its origij
Gouldner (1975) modern 1950s sociologists were ‘spiritless technicians’ who were just hired by organisations to take on and solve their problems
Myrda (1969) sociologists should take sides
What did Becker argue
traditionally sociologists have tended to take the view point of the powerful
sociologists should adopt a compassionate stance and take sides of the underdogs as this will rebalance order
uses qualitative methods
What are the criticism of Becker (1970)
Gouldner criticised Becker for taking a romantic and sentimental approach - adpots a Marxists perspective and argues we should take the side of those who fight back to unmask their opression
What is problems with funding of research
research will likely emody the values and interests of the paymasters
some organisations prevent publication of the research if its findings prove unacceptable e.g Black Report (1980)
sociologists own personal values deriving from their background or want to fruther their careers
What do relativists argue
different groups have different views as to what is true
there is not absolute objective truth and any perspective that claims this is just a metanarrative
What are the criticisms of relativism
this is paradoxical as it claims something is true while deflecting itself
