INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY 1
SOCIOLOGY A SCIENCE
There are several views regarding the status of sociology— whether it is science or not. There
are three different groups of three different opinions. For one group of Sociologists,
sociology is a science because Sociology adopts and applies the scientific method. Founding
fathers of sociology— Auguste Comte, Emile Durkheim, Karl Marks— and others subscribe
to this view. Others hold different views and opines that Sociology is a science, but the
subject matter of Sociology differs from that of the natural sciences. Like Max Weber,
Yogesh Kumar Singh, Giddens, khun. Again, there is another group who argues that an
objective science of society is not possible, maintaining that sociology can never be free from
ideology. An increasing number of sociologists argue that a value-free science of society is
not possible. They argue that the various theories of society are based, at least, on value
judgments and ideological positions. According to Auguste Comte and Durkheim,
Sociology is a science because it adopts and applies the scientific method. Sociology does
make use of scientific methods in the study of its subject matter. It is a science because of the
following reasons:
The term ‘science’ refers to the body of knowledge obtained by methods based upon
systematic observation. Sociology as a science engages in organized, systematic study of
phenomena (human behaviour) in order to enhance understanding. Sociology is different
from other sciences in certain respects. Hence Sociology is a science.
i. Sociology is generalizing and not a particularizing or individualizing science.
Sociology does not study each and every event that take place in society. It tries to find
out the general laws or principles about human interaction and association, about the
nature, form, content and structure of human groups and societies.
ii. Sociology adopts scientific methods. Sociological studies, social events by adopting
scientific method. Though it cannot do an experiment with men in a laboratory still man’s
social behaviour is subject to scientific investigation like a natural phenomenon.
iii. Sociology is factual. Sociological studies social relationships and processes. Its general
problem is an interpretation of the social behaviour. In this way, sociology makes a
scientific study of social facts and discovers the general principles involved in them.
Hence, Comte went to the extent of describing sociology as social physics.
iv. Sociological principles are verifiable. The laws of sociology prove true at every
verification and re-verification. Their validity can be examined by anyone. For example,
one may consider the law that an increase in the number of divorces indicates acceleration
of marital disorganization.
v. Sociology discovers cause-effect relationships: Sociology traces cause-effect
relationships in social disorganization and other phenomena, activities and processes in
society, and then formulates laws concerning them. Thus, sociology finds an answer to
‘how’ as well as ‘why’ of social processes, social relationships and social phenomena.
vi. Sociology can make predictions: On the basis of cause-effect relationships, sociology
can anticipate the future and make predictions of concerning social relationships,
processes, phenomena, etc. If disorganization in the families becomes pronounced it can
make predictions concerning the number of divorces, illicit relationships, and many other
things. Knowing the cause-effect relationships, it may determine ‘what will be’ on the
basis of ‘what is’.
vii. Sociology is a categorical and not a normative discipline. Sociology does not make any
kind of value judgements. Sociology is ethically neutral. As a science, sociology is
necessarily silent about questions of value.
SOCIOLOGY A SCIENCE
There are several views regarding the status of sociology— whether it is science or not. There
are three different groups of three different opinions. For one group of Sociologists,
sociology is a science because Sociology adopts and applies the scientific method. Founding
fathers of sociology— Auguste Comte, Emile Durkheim, Karl Marks— and others subscribe
to this view. Others hold different views and opines that Sociology is a science, but the
subject matter of Sociology differs from that of the natural sciences. Like Max Weber,
Yogesh Kumar Singh, Giddens, khun. Again, there is another group who argues that an
objective science of society is not possible, maintaining that sociology can never be free from
ideology. An increasing number of sociologists argue that a value-free science of society is
not possible. They argue that the various theories of society are based, at least, on value
judgments and ideological positions. According to Auguste Comte and Durkheim,
Sociology is a science because it adopts and applies the scientific method. Sociology does
make use of scientific methods in the study of its subject matter. It is a science because of the
following reasons:
The term ‘science’ refers to the body of knowledge obtained by methods based upon
systematic observation. Sociology as a science engages in organized, systematic study of
phenomena (human behaviour) in order to enhance understanding. Sociology is different
from other sciences in certain respects. Hence Sociology is a science.
i. Sociology is generalizing and not a particularizing or individualizing science.
Sociology does not study each and every event that take place in society. It tries to find
out the general laws or principles about human interaction and association, about the
nature, form, content and structure of human groups and societies.
ii. Sociology adopts scientific methods. Sociological studies, social events by adopting
scientific method. Though it cannot do an experiment with men in a laboratory still man’s
social behaviour is subject to scientific investigation like a natural phenomenon.
iii. Sociology is factual. Sociological studies social relationships and processes. Its general
problem is an interpretation of the social behaviour. In this way, sociology makes a
scientific study of social facts and discovers the general principles involved in them.
Hence, Comte went to the extent of describing sociology as social physics.
iv. Sociological principles are verifiable. The laws of sociology prove true at every
verification and re-verification. Their validity can be examined by anyone. For example,
one may consider the law that an increase in the number of divorces indicates acceleration
of marital disorganization.
v. Sociology discovers cause-effect relationships: Sociology traces cause-effect
relationships in social disorganization and other phenomena, activities and processes in
society, and then formulates laws concerning them. Thus, sociology finds an answer to
‘how’ as well as ‘why’ of social processes, social relationships and social phenomena.
vi. Sociology can make predictions: On the basis of cause-effect relationships, sociology
can anticipate the future and make predictions of concerning social relationships,
processes, phenomena, etc. If disorganization in the families becomes pronounced it can
make predictions concerning the number of divorces, illicit relationships, and many other
things. Knowing the cause-effect relationships, it may determine ‘what will be’ on the
basis of ‘what is’.
vii. Sociology is a categorical and not a normative discipline. Sociology does not make any
kind of value judgements. Sociology is ethically neutral. As a science, sociology is
necessarily silent about questions of value.
