Nature of Sociology: Definitions Sociology YouTube Lecture Handouts
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Definitions
- “Sociology is the science which attempts the interpretative understanding of social action in order thereby to arrive at a causal explanation of its course and its effects.” – Weber
- “Sociology is the Science of Social phenomena Subject to natural and invariable laws. The discovery of which is the object of investigation” - August Comte
Understanding Science
- Logic, reliability, validity
- System
- Investigation
- Assessment
- Explains why
- Generalizes
- Predicts
- Natural science vs. social science
- To study sociology scientifically efforts by early Social thinkers
Sociology as a Science
- Scientific method
- Easy to verify principles
- Reliable and valid
- Generalizations
- Predictions
- Empirical and factual - measurable
- Cumulative – theories built upon one another
- “Sociology is a science in the sense that it involves systematic methods of investigation and the evaluation of theories in the light of evidence and logical argument.” - Giddens
Characteristics
- Value free discipline
- Values of society and influence on social behaviour
- Not normative
- Empirical – analysis of phenomena
- Abstract discipline
- General science
Scope
- Specialist school
- Simmel, Weber, Tonnies
- Independent science
- Pure science
- Specific
- Limited scope
- Synthetic school
- Durkheim, Comte, Spencer, Sorokin, Hobhouse
- Related to other social sciences
- Vast scope
Limitations
- Objectivity
- Extent of Accuracy and reliability
- Prediction
- Lack of laboratory research
- Terminology
- Exactivity – limitation of time and space
MCQs
Q.1. Sociology Studies things “as it is” and not “as it ought to be” . As a Science, Sociology is necessarily silent about the questions of value. What type of Science is Sociology categorized here as?
i. Categorical science
ii. Pure science
iii. Applied science
iv. None of these
Answer: i
Q.2. Which twin revolutions led to the emergence of Sociology?
i. Renaissance and Serbian Revolution
ii. The French Revolution and The Industrial Revolution
iii. American Revolution and French Revolution
iv. Greek War of Independence and French Revolution
Answer: ii
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Chapters:
0: 00 Nature of Sociology
0: 11 Definitions of Sociology
0: 47 Understanding Science
3: 23 Sociology as A Science
5: 03 Characteristics of Sociology
6: 35 Scope Of Sociology
7: 26 Limitations of Sociology
8: 15 MCQ about Sociology
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✍ Manishika