Is Sociology a Science ,Nature of Sociology.pptx

Sociology is a science of society. It studies society using scientific methods and techniques. Sociology was first named "Social Physics." Human behavior is distinct from nature, and cannot be completely based on natural sciences.

1. DR ANIL BHATT (Sociology)) DEPT OF HIGHER EDUCATION UTTARAKHAND NATURE OF SOCIOLOGY

2. Firstly, we need to know this…

3. Meaning of Science.. Science as a term is derived from the latin word Scientia meaning gaining knowledge in the form of testable explanation The term science refers to the body of knowledge obtained by methods based on systematic observation Science is the use of systematic methods of empirical investigation, analysis of Data, theoretical thinking, and logical assessment of arguments to develop a body of knowledge about a particular subject matter. Sociology is a scientific endeavour and fulfils all requirement of science .

4. Is Sociology a science?

5. It can be said…

6. Sociology is a Science August Comte- Sociology like other scientific disciplines is regulated by some natural Laws Emile Durkheim - Sociology is a science as it adopts and utilizes the scientific methods Sociology is based on reason and evidence Based on interview questionnaires and case studies Sociology has aims to provide general laws as it studies various societies and then formulates general consensus . It is capable of accurate observation even though it lacks a laboratory . Study on Suicide by Durkheim co- related different causes with different effects

7. Study of Suicide by Durkheim co-relating cause & effect Altruistic Suicide To much integration Often a result of excessive regulation of individuals by social forces such that a person may be moved to kill themselves for the benefit of a cause or for society at large.  Example-hijackers that crashed the airplanes into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania in 2001 . Egoistic Suicide Too Less integration- Bonds are weakened through retirement or loss of family and friends, the likelihood of egoistic suicide increases Fatalistic Suicide Occurs under conditions of extreme social regulation R esulting in oppressive conditions and a denial of the self and of agency. In such a situation a person may elect to die rather than continue enduring the oppressive conditions, such as the case of suicide among prisoners. Anomic Suicide- Too Less Regulation Normlesness, Anomie occurs during periods of serious social, economic, or political upheaval, which result in quick and extreme changes to society and everyday life. In such circumstances, a person might feel so confused and disconnected that they choose to commit suicide.​ Lack of social cohesion.

8. Robert Bierstedt American Sociologist Born- 1913, USA Died- 1998, Virginia USA He was a student of Russian Sociologist Pritrim Sorokin Books- 1- The Social Order (1974) 2-American Sociological Theory: A critical history (1981 )

9. Nature of Sociology as per Bierstadt's “ The Social Order” Sociology is a Social and Not a Physical Science- studies social Behaviour and activities Sociology is an independent science- not a branch of any other discipline. It has created its own subject matter and is not treated as branch of any other science. Sociology has also created its many sub-disciplines and branches. Sociology is categorical and not Normative science- studies what is and not what ought to be . It is Ethically neutral. It is neither moral nor immoral but Amoral, Does not make any value Judgements. Acquires knowledge of society the way it is in the present duration. Sociology is a contemporary discipline Sociology is an Abstract Science not a concrete science- studies-marriage, religion, social relationships, traditions etc. It is more focussed on family as an institution and not any family in particular. As a science sociology proceeds on the plane of abstractions.

10. Sociology is a General Science and not particularising Science- Seeks general principles about human behaviour. Does not study any specific battle but war as a recurrent social phenomenon. Sociology addresses social issues by acquiring objective knowledge free from bias. Sociology is a pure science and not an applied science .- More concerned with the acquisition of knowledge. Applied aspect of Sociology is Social Work. Pure- ACQUISITION of knowledge, Applied - APPLICATION of Knowledge Sociology is both Rational and Empirical Science- based on experimentation, collection of data reason, logical inference, cause and effect. It is also a practical discipline .

11. Objections for Sociology as a Science Subject matter of sociology is too complex to be studied scientifically Too young a discipline to develop its laws and principles as that of Natural Sciences Lacks Scientific Objectivity Incapable of measuring its subject matter No Predictability No Laboratories Incapability to be free from bias Sociology is not an Exact Science

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