Sociology: Value Conflict
Sociology � PAGE * MERGEFORMAT �1�
Running Head: SOCIOLOGY
Sociology
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Sociology
Value Conflict
Objectivity means that the conclusions arrived at as the result of inquiry and investigation are independent of the race, color, creed, occupation, nationality, religion, moral preference and political predisposition of the investigator. If hi research is truly objective, it is independent of any subjective elements; any personal desires that he may have. Having said that, one can argue whether it is impossible for sociology to be value free because in order for it to become objective it has to confine itself to so many criteria and conditions. It seems as if it is impossible for sociology to be value free since it is the study of humanity and society which of course cannot be freed from making value judgment.
This proves that even science itself is not value free, what are the changes for sociology to be fully objective? Observers have their own interpretation and interest, so they will take actions in accordance with their interest. They will alter evidence, add variables and ignore other possibilities to prove their theories. Values enter the study of sociology even before any experiments or hypothesis being made. Researchers will find areas that they find suitable and significantly what they think plays a greater role and has deeper impacts on sociology. Weber himself chose to study bureaucracy and the advent of capitalism since he believed that these two areas are more important in the Western societies.
Another condition for sociology to be free from values is its ability to separate social facts from values. Since sociology is the study of human nature, some sociologists believed that it cannot be obtained. According to Max Weber, individuals view the world from a value laden perspective. It is impossible to exclude feelings, personal views and judgments, since human beings the subject matter for sociology has feelings, emotions and consciousness.
Running Head: SOCIOLOGY
Sociology
�
Sociology
Value Conflict
Objectivity means that the conclusions arrived at as the result of inquiry and investigation are independent of the race, color, creed, occupation, nationality, religion, moral preference and political predisposition of the investigator. If hi research is truly objective, it is independent of any subjective elements; any personal desires that he may have. Having said that, one can argue whether it is impossible for sociology to be value free because in order for it to become objective it has to confine itself to so many criteria and conditions. It seems as if it is impossible for sociology to be value free since it is the study of humanity and society which of course cannot be freed from making value judgment.
This proves that even science itself is not value free, what are the changes for sociology to be fully objective? Observers have their own interpretation and interest, so they will take actions in accordance with their interest. They will alter evidence, add variables and ignore other possibilities to prove their theories. Values enter the study of sociology even before any experiments or hypothesis being made. Researchers will find areas that they find suitable and significantly what they think plays a greater role and has deeper impacts on sociology. Weber himself chose to study bureaucracy and the advent of capitalism since he believed that these two areas are more important in the Western societies.
Another condition for sociology to be free from values is its ability to separate social facts from values. Since sociology is the study of human nature, some sociologists believed that it cannot be obtained. According to Max Weber, individuals view the world from a value laden perspective. It is impossible to exclude feelings, personal views and judgments, since human beings the subject matter for sociology has feelings, emotions and consciousness.
References: Becker, H. S. (2005). Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance. New York, NY: The Free Press Becker, H. S. (2006). Blumer, H. (2005). Symbolic Interactionism. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ. Blumer, H. (2006). Sociological Implications of the Thoughts of George Herbert Mead. Englewood Cliff, New Jersey. Cicourel, V. A. (2007). The Social Organization of Juvenile Justice. New York, NY: The Free Press Elsevier, New York. Heckert, D. (2007). Ugly Duckling to Swan: Labelling Theory and the Stigmatization of Red Hair. Symbolic Interaction, 20(4):365-385 Erikson, K. T. (2005). Wayward Puritans. Wiley, NY. Gibb, J. (2005). Conceptions of Deviant Behaviour: The Old and the New. Liazos, A. (2005). The Poverty of the Sociology of Deviance: Nuts, Sluts and Perverts. Mead, H. G. (2006). Mind, Self, and Society: From the Standpoint of a Social Behaviourist. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.