A2 Sociology & Science

Introduction

Important questions to ask for this topic: Why is it important to consider if Sociology should

be reclassified as a' hard' (natural) science? Why is it difficult to settle the debate on this

reclassification? Can and should Sociology be reclassified as a

science? What is science and what implications does it have

for Sociology?

What are the Learning Objectives for this Topic?

After we've completed this topic you should be able to:

Know the difference between positivists & Interpretivists views of whether sociology can be a science and be able to apply this to the issues of suicide.

Know a range of views on natural science and their implications for sociology as a science.

Be able to evaluate the arguments for & against the view that sociology can or should be reclassified as a science.

History of Positivism

The 19th century 'Founding Fathers' (FF) were impressed by the ability of science to explain the natural world.

FF appreciated how science allowed humans to extend their control over nature.

Auguste Comte (1798-1857) was one of these founding fathers, coined the term 'sociology' and described himself as a 'positivist'.

Beliefs of Positivists

It is possible & desirable to apply logic & methods of natural sciences to study of society.

Argued it creates true, objective knowledge similar to the that which is found in natural sciences.

Will provide basis for solving social problems & achieving progress.

Believed that reality exists outside & independently of the human mind.

Key Features of Positivists

Nature is made up of objective, observable physical facts.

Examples: Rocks, cells, stars etc... The examples exist external to our minds whether

we like it or not. Positivists see society as objective factual reality.

It's a real 'thing' made up of social facts that exist 'out there', independently of individuals, just like the physical world.

Positivists on Patterns

Argue reality is not random, but patterned. Say this reality can be observed empirically

(factually) as patterns or regularities. Example:

H2O boils at 100 Celsius. Scientists must observe, identify, measure & record these patterns systematically.

Preferably though lab experiments & then explain them.

Positivists on Laws

Ascribe to the concept described by Durkheim that 'real laws are discoverable' and that they will explain these patterns.

Physics discovered gravity, and so too (Positivists argue) will sociology will discover laws that determine how society works.

This method for doing so is known as induction, or inductive reasoning.

What is Induction?

Induction involves accumulating data about the world through careful observation & measurements.

As we discover more about our society, we begin to see an emerging pattern.

Natural Science patterned example: We may observe that objects, when dropped, always

fall toward the earth at the same rate of accelerations.

This is because gravity remains at a constant.

Verificationism

From Verificationism we can develop a theory that explains all our observations to date.

Once we have completed many more observations which confirm or verify a theory, we can then claim to have discovered the truth in the form of a general law.

Inductive reasoning claims to verify a theory-- to prove it true, and this is Verificationism at its core.

Positivists believe patterns we observe in nature or society can all be explained in the same way, by finding the facts that cause them.

Examples of Observed Patterns

Physics explains that the apple falls to the ground (one fact) due to gravity (another fact).

Sociology might explain the fact of educational failure in terms of another social fact such as material deprivation.

Positivist Sociologists...

Seek to discover the causes of the patterns they observe. Similar to natural scientists as the aim to produce

general statement or scientific laws about how society works.

These statements or scientific laws can be used to predict future events and guide social policies.

So, how does this play out in practical Sociology according to Positivists?

If we know that material deprivation causes educational failure, we can use this knowledge to develop policies to tackle it.

Are Positivists Similar to any other Approaches?

Yes, they favour the 'macro' or structural explanations of social phenomena, much like the Functionalists & Marxists.

Why? Macro theories see society and its structures as social

'facts' that exist outside of us and shape our behaviour patterns.