This article covers part 1 of Sociology TU BBA/BBS 5th Sem Notes.
Meaning & Definition of Sociology
Sociology is the scientific, methodical, and accurate study of society and the individual-society interaction.
It primarily addresses the social structure, social connections, social behaviors, interaction, social groupings, social institutions, social stratifications, social processes, social issues, and so on.
Sociology is derived from the Latin word ‘Socius,’ which means society, and the Greek word ‘Logos,’ which means study or science.
The Science of Society is hence the etymological meaning of sociology.
Finally, sociology is the systematic study of human society, devoted to understanding social interaction as people create groups, communities, and societies.
“Sociology is the study of human interaction and interrelations, their attitudes and consequences”.—————- Morris Ginsberg
“Sociology is the systematic study of social behavior and human groups. It focuses on social relationships; how those relationships influence people behavior and how societies, the sum total relationships, develop and change” ————- Richard T Schaefer
“Sociology is the study of individuals in a social setting that includes groups, organizations, cultures and societies. Sociologists study the interrelationships between individuals, organizations, cultures and societies”……………. George Ritzer “Sociology is the study of human social life, groups and societies”……… Anthony Giddens
Based on the criteria above, we determined that sociology is the study of human social behavior, particularly the genesis and evolution of society.
Marriage, family, business, education, sports, music, religion, and other social structures are studied scientifically.
It is the investigation of social processes such as enculturation, modernisation, conflict, collaboration, socialization, and so on.
Emergence of Sociology
Since the start of human civilization, people have been curious about and concerned about their community. Some sociologists trace the origins of sociology back to Kautilya’s economics and Aristotle’s politics. For example, Aristotle’s phrase “Man is a political (i.e. social) animal” planted the roots of sociology.
Sociology began as a topic following the French Revolution of 1789 A.D.
The French Revolution had an influence on many civilizations, both positively and negatively.
However, researchers were troubled by the negative development, which was societal turmoil and anarchy.
Scholars sought a new foundation for social order and realized that a new social science was required to research society in order to develop social order.
Nature of Sociology
- The nature of sociology refers to its qualities or traits.
- Sociology is a social science. It has a social aspect as a social science.
- There is considerable debate among scholars over the essence of sociology.
- Some sociologists consider sociology to be a science, whereas others believe that sociology cannot be considered a science.
The important points are as follows: Sociology’s characteristics reveal its true nature.
Sociology is a distinct science:
It is a distinct science. It is not studied in conjunction with other disciplines. It has its own field of study, history, research technique, and scope as an autonomous science.
Sociology is not a natural science, but rather a social science
Sociology is a branch of social science. It investigates human behavior in groups, relationships, social activities, social issues, and social life as a social science. Similarly, as a social science, it is connected to others such as history, economics, political science, and so on.
Sociology is a categorical, not normative, science
Sociology is a science that is positive, categorical, or descriptive. It refers to the assertion about what is, rather than what should or ought to be. It is unable to address the issue of worth. It is ethically neutral and cannot decide whether something is good or terrible, right or wrong, or moral or immoral. In other words, sociologists do not strive to determine whether certain social activities are good or harmful; rather, they seek to understand them.
Sociology is a theoretical (pure) science rather than an applied science
Pure science is concerned with knowledge acquisition, whereas applied science is concerned with knowledge application. However, any pure science may have its own application sector. Sociology may be considered a theoretical or pure science in this sense since it is concerned with the acquisition of information about human society and has its own applied fields such as social work, administration, and diplomacy.
Sociology is a generalizing, rather than a particularizing, science
Bierstedt asserts that sociology is a study of generalization. Sociology seeks to deduce general rules about society and social life from specific situations. It attempts to draw broad generalizations about
Sociology is both a logical and empirical science:
Sociological knowledge is founded on rationality and empirical evidence. Rationalism is a logic-based approach to knowing. Similarly, empiricism is an approach to knowledge that is founded on experience. Empiricists gather facts from experience, and rationalists organize and coordinate them. Sociology is likewise based on empiricism and rationality.
As a result, it is both logical and empirical science.
Sociology is an abstract science, not a real science:
Sociology is the study of society. Society is a mental product. It is uninterested in the physical embodiment of human events. It is only concerned with the forms and patterns of society. As a result, it is an abstract rather than a real science.
Sociology is a generic science, not a specific science
Sociology is a broad field of social science. It investigates society as a whole. It does not have a specific region. Other social sciences, such as economics, political science, history, and culture, focus on certain aspects of human society. However, sociology is a broad study of human society.
