Lesson 3: A2 Lesson 3: A2 Sociological TheorySociological Theory

Covering: Postmodernism, Covering: Postmodernism, Feminism and Scientific SociologyFeminism and Scientific Sociology

Postmodernist & Scientific Postmodernist & Scientific SociologySociology

Postmodernists argue against the notion of a Postmodernists argue against the notion of a scientific sociology.scientific sociology.Why?Why? They think of the natural sciences as simply a They think of the natural sciences as simply a meta-meta-

narrative.narrative. Say science is just one ‘big story’ & its account of the Say science is just one ‘big story’ & its account of the

world is no more valid than any other. world is no more valid than any other. So, Postmodernist don’t see a reason why we should So, Postmodernist don’t see a reason why we should

adopt science as a model for sociology.adopt science as a model for sociology. There are as many ‘truths’ as there are points of view, There are as many ‘truths’ as there are points of view,

making a scientific approach dangerous as it claims a making a scientific approach dangerous as it claims a ‘‘monopoly of truth’ monopoly of truth’ excluding other points of view.excluding other points of view.

Sci-Sology & False ClaimsSci-Sology & False Claims

So, a scientific sociology not only makes So, a scientific sociology not only makes false claims about having the ‘truth’; it also false claims about having the ‘truth’; it also forms a domination.forms a domination.

Soviet Union, Marxist Example:Soviet Union, Marxist Example: Marxism is a theory which claims to have Marxism is a theory which claims to have

discovered discovered scientificallyscientifically, the truth about the , the truth about the ideal society.ideal society.

Marxism was used as a tool to justify coercion Marxism was used as a tool to justify coercion & oppression.& oppression.

Post-Structuralist FeministsPost-Structuralist Feminists

Argue the quest for a single, scientific Argue the quest for a single, scientific feminist theory is an attempt at domination feminist theory is an attempt at domination as it would covertly exclude many groups as it would covertly exclude many groups of women.of women.

Some feminists argue that quantitative Some feminists argue that quantitative scientific methods favoured by positivists scientific methods favoured by positivists are are also also oppressive & cannot capture the oppressive & cannot capture the reality of women’s experiences.reality of women’s experiences.

A ‘Terrible Model’A ‘Terrible Model’

Some writers argue science is terrible model for Some writers argue science is terrible model for sociology to follow as:sociology to follow as: In practice, science has not always led to the In practice, science has not always led to the

progress that positivists believed it would.progress that positivists believed it would. Ulrick Becks’ ‘Risk Society’ (not Giddens) ExampleUlrick Becks’ ‘Risk Society’ (not Giddens) Example::

Risk society… as in hazards and insecurities induced & Risk society… as in hazards and insecurities induced & introduced by modernisation itself. introduced by modernisation itself.

Scientifically created dangers such as nuclear weapons & Scientifically created dangers such as nuclear weapons & global warming have undermined the idea that science global warming have undermined the idea that science inevitably brings benefits to humankind.inevitably brings benefits to humankind.

Thus it is argued….Thus it is argued….

That if science bring such negative That if science bring such negative consequences, it would be wrong for consequences, it would be wrong for

sociology to adopt it as a model.sociology to adopt it as a model.

What is Science?What is Science?

We all know by now that Interpretivists We all know by now that Interpretivists reject the positivist view that sociology is a reject the positivist view that sociology is a science…science… But they do tend to agree with positivists that But they do tend to agree with positivists that

the natural sciences are actually as the the natural sciences are actually as the positivists describe them.positivists describe them.

Remember positivists see natural science as Remember positivists see natural science as inductive reasoning or verificationism applied inductive reasoning or verificationism applied to the study of observable patterns.to the study of observable patterns.

Not Always in Agreement?Not Always in Agreement?

Not everyone accepts positivists’ version Not everyone accepts positivists’ version of the natural sciences.of the natural sciences.

Scores of sociologists, philosophers & Scores of sociologists, philosophers & historians have painted their own version historians have painted their own version of science…. of science…. There are three which we will examineThere are three which we will examine Will consider implications for whether Will consider implications for whether

sociology can or should be a science.sociology can or should be a science.