1. Sociology as a Science

2. Lesson objectives Pages 190 to 195 in the Webb et al textbook 2
What is science? State the characteristics of science (AO1)
What are the benefits of Sociology being a science? (AO1 and AO2)
Evaluate the competing arguments as to whether Sociology can be a science! (AO1, AO2 and AO3)
Pages 190 to 195 in the Webb et al textbook 2
Remember – this links to the earlier work we have done on POETS, Positivism, Durkheim’s Suicide study and Interpretivism

3. What are the advantages of Sociology being a science?
Improve the status of the subject
Attract more funding
It would have an effect on the identity of the subject
And how sociologists conduct their research

4. The Positivism/Interpretivism debate includes other view points…
Popper
Kuhn
Sayer

5. Popper It is desirable for Sociology to be a science
But he says sociological theories are unscientific because they cannot be falsified
E.g. Marxism can’t be falsified as it fails to specify exactly when a proletarian revolution will take place
A revolution may still take place!
It could become scientific but must follow a set of methodological procedures

6. Popper – deductive approach
Scientists cannot always deliver the final truth, as the possibility of falsification always exists
You should be able to falsify theories – prove they are wrong
Scientists should do their utmost to disprove theories (falsify them)
Theories that survive falsification are not necessarily true
‘all swans are white’ – is a scientific statement as it can be falsified
However, even though many times it is confirmed by observation, it cannot be accepted as true because the very next swan might be black! In this respect there are no absolute truths in science.

7. Popper
Sociology therefore cannot be a science until it removes its value-bias from its theories – at which point much of sociology would not exist.
Popper still values Sociology in that it helps to formulate new ideas and theories to explore. He suggests that Sociology has more un-testable theories than science simply because it hasn’t been around as a discipline as long.
Using page 191 – 192, make notes on:
The fallacy of induction
Falsification
Truth
Implications for Sociology

8. Kuhn – paradigms
Sciences are based on sets of assumptions called paradigms – they are agreed on by scientists
Sometimes these paradigms change – they are called paradigm shifts
The world is flat the world is round
Sociology cannot be a science as it does not have a single paradigm
There are different views (e.g. Fem, Marx, Func)
Maybe sociology is pre-paradigmatic – it could become a science if sociologists agreed upon a perspective
This does seem highly unlikely

9. What do you see?

10. Kuhn – paradigm shifts
He used the duck-rabbit optical illusion to demonstrate the way in which a paradigm shift can cause people to see the same information in an entirely different way

11. Realist view of science - Sayer
A social science is possible
Sciences like physics and chemistry operate in closed systems where variables can be controlled
Meteorology is a science that operates in an open system – e.g. as a result it is difficult to predict the weather accurately
Human behaviour operates in an open system – not possible to predict what will happen
No way of controlling the variables
Realists think this is a social science – we can explain human behaviour in terms of structures – just like meteorologists can explain behaviour in the natural world

12. Criticising Science!
Why would we want to be a science any way?!

13. Extra things for top marks…!!
Feminist view of science
Would they like Sociology to be a science?!

14. Postmodernism and science
For A/B essay answers!
Postmodernists reject the view that science produces absolute truths
Should use a range of research techniques
Scientific knowledge is not objective – it is subjective as it represents the views of the most powerful in society

15. Billing (1998): Sociology limits itself by trying to be Scientific
Why strive to be ‘Scientific’ – It limits the Researcher…..
Billing (1998): Sociology limits itself by trying to be Scientific
If knowledge is to develop & grow then it is important to embrace many different ‘knowledge paradigms’ instead of trying to be purely scientific e.g. Science with Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, History etc….
Wright-Mills (1959): The Sociological Imagination
C. Wright-Mills advocated what he called ‘the Sociological Imagination’. In this view it is important to have a creative and open mind towards research and not limit oneself to only one source of knowledge.
Bauman (2000): Liquid Modernity
Bauman follows this trail of thought by suggesting that in the post-modern (or liquid modern) era, every knowledge system is worth investing in. Old, restrictive structure of the past have broken down knowledge has become free. We are no longer tied down to science.

16. ‘Sociology is not, cannot be, and should not be a science’ To what extent do sociological arguments and evidence support this view? (20 marks)