Positivism
Positivism is a scientific approach to sociology (the science of
society As Keat and Urry ('social theory as science', 1975) note:
'Positivism is concerned only with observable phenomena. It involves
establishing law-like relations between them through the careful
accumulation of factual knowledge. This occurs by means of
observation, experimentation, comparison and prediction.'
The terms' sociology' and 'positive philosophy' (positivism) were both
coined by Auguste Comte (the founder of Sociology), an educated
philosopher, born on January 19th 1798 in Montpellier, France. He grew
up and studied after a great period of change. There had been the
French revolution, the Industrial revolution, an economic upheaval as
the outdated feudal system had been replaced by the beginnings of a
capitalism, the belief in Christianity was dwindling and scientific
discoveries were advancing rapidly.
Comte fancied himself as a scientist and thought as the natural
sciences have laws which govern them
(e.g. Newton's law of gravity) sociology would too, and his aim was to
find these general laws. He categorized these laws in two ways;
statics and dynamics.
Statics (the building blocks of society) involve the study of existent
conditions. The ways in which the parts of the social system (social
structure) interact with one another. E.g. family, language, religion.
Dynamics is the process of progressive evolution (via fixed,
invariable, linear stages) in which people become increasingly more
intelligent and in which altruism (unselfishly concerned for the
welfare of others) eventually triumphs over egotism (concerned only
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...at only knowledge derived
from observable phenomena using scientific methods is real and valid,
that anything which is not quantifiable (e.g. emotions or motivations)
is unusable, 'to posit' means to test. Auguste Comte's theories
provided the basis for the social sciences. These included the laws of
progress, statics and dynamics and the hierarchy of sciences. Comte's
aim was to create a society in which individuals and societies would
live in harmony, a Utopia. He wanted positivism to be like a religion
(without the superstitions and gods) but ruled by the scientific
elite, who would be able to best advise people in their daily lives
e.g. deciding their jobs for them. Positivism is flawed in many ways
as mentioned above but it was the first approach of the new social
science 'sociology' and still influences it today.
In doing so the scientists ideas all originated from their explorations to understand the world around them. voice pacificsource really helps with the understanding of the chapter more. The French explorers are introduced to these new ways of life and make it able for them to take something from their experience to help them better understand the world. This was the main reason of the Enlightenment. Although this source is fictional it is significant in being able to understand the contrast between the life of the Tahitians life compared to the European way of life. Diderots Docs are representative of the Enlightenment ideas through his use of contrast showing the cultural differences. There was only one way that it was not helpful in understanding each other because it was fiction. Although this did not really happen it relates to the chapter in the way of showing the importance of travel. Travel was essential during the Enlightenment period to ensure the knowledge of other cultures and understanding the world. The enlightenment influences the modern world by specifying on the importance of Education. I also found this source helpful in understanding the chapter because it shows the social and intellectual growth which later create two revolutions of the start of the creation of the modern
There was an event that took place in which people were injured, and even a death occurred in Cook County Illinois. The Offender fired three shots into a group of people, only grazing her intended target, but striking and killing a different person instead. That person died from a mortal gun shot wound to the back. The whole altercation occurred because the Offender and Intended target got into an altercation over a boy on social media and later physically as well. A couple of weeks before the shooting took place, the Offender was jumped by the intended victim’s group of friends because of the boy. The day of the shooting, the Intended Target sent the Offender a message saying that she was going to die. In an attempt to retaliate against her,
With such great minds and an awesome influence that seems boundless, how can there not be references to the works of Thomas Hobbes and Immanuel Kant. The Fundamental Principles in the Metaphysics of Morality is used by the minority dissenting opinion to reiterate the concepts of the intrinsic dignity of man. While the majority uses the literary work the Leviathan to support their own opinions. Transforming and uplifting the case of Gregg v. Georgia into an arena for a debate of Hobbian and Kant philosophies.
On the one hand, the positivist philosophy encompasses the normative paradigm as it recognizes that human behavior is easily detected, categorized and can simply
There exists conflicting theories among sociologists in the area of determining why a person is considered to be a deviant, and the reasons behind why he or she has committed a deviant act. From a positivistic perspective, deviance is based on biological or social determinism. Alternatively, from a constructionist perspective, deviance is created and assigned by society. Both perspectives seek to give a theory for why a person may become known as deviant. Although they both view similar acts as deviant, the basic differences between positivists and constructionists theories are clear.
Philosopher Robert Nozick believes in the entitlement theory. The entitlement theory states that, “A person who acquires a holding in accordance with the principle of justice in acquisition is entitled to that holding...A person who acquires a holding in accordance with the principle of justice in transfer, from someone else entitled to the holding, is entitled to the holding…No one is entitled to a holding except by (repeated) applications of 1 and 2” (NOTES).
The concept of logical positivism, also known as logical empiricism or simply positivism, is a vital one in the realm of the social sciences, having a profusion of influence. Virtually beginning in the 1920s, logical positivism reached a peak around the time of the 1950s and 1960s. The notion revolves around the idea that scientific knowledge is the only form of valid and factual knowledge and focuses on the importance of one’s own phenomena experiences (Stiles, 2017). Although influential, there have been many analyses and critiques of the notion, with political scientist Thomas S. Kuhn acting as a prevalent critic. Kuhn, and a fair sum of other critics, are post-positivists which are those who believe that believe theory is revisable as not
After reviewing the article titles given for this first assignment, I believe they indicate that Sociology, generally speaking, is not only a study of diversity or commonality in traits among people; it is also a science about factors in a person’s life and how these factors culminate responses. Interestingly enough, its topics of concern seem to be directly determined by current and common events of the world. Through the invention and expansion of new ideas, popular trends and fashions through time, Sociology adapts to responsibly to service the very subjects of interest it studies; for, even the slightest change of a person’s daily experience can have an insurmountable impact on attitude, personal growth, family dynamics and basic group behavior.
Auguste Comte (Newman 2010) pointed out the need to keep society unified as many traditions were diminishing. He created the term sociology. Auguste Comte suggests that sociology is the product of a three-stage development.
An immigrant from Mexico who lives on Mango Street appears to be timid and anxious about this new land and all the people in it. The title of the book, The House on Mango Street, includes vignettes written by Sandra Cisneros. The vignettes cover the story of Esperanza, the immigrant, in which the young girl offers insight on many of the events that occur around her neighborhood. Deducted from her actions, Esperanza is a person who is a bad role model. Because she is afraid, ashamed, and inconsistent that makes her a poor choice for a role model.
I think everyone should ask themselves what is sociology? I believe that sociology is the scientific study of social behavior or society, including its origins, development, organization, networks, and institutions. This is a huge topic to cover. Sociology explains the way people act and think, based on
Sociology is exemplified by the study of a society or societies. Society is shaped by set of tradition that will shaped the behavior people by an assortment of rules that govern individuals within a certain society in their daily transactions and interactions. After watching and analyzing these videos and concept, this has given me a greater insight on what can be taught and learned.
Within the study of ethics, the principle of subjectivism maintains there are no immutable truths. Founded on an individual’s limited experience, personal rulings are arbitrary statements that reveal one’s attitudes, opinions and emotions not facts. Therefore, in order for a statement to be considered ethically or morally correct, it merely has to be approved by the person n question. By way of further explanation, ethical subjectivism can be said to begin with personal experience of the world and end with generalizations that enable an individual or assembly to render judgments about the world.
What is Sociology one might ask, Sociology is the study of human behaviour, collective action, interaction, and the consequences of these behaviours, actions and interactions. We study sociology. “ Things are not what they seem”, Peter Berger. Was a famous statement and the of sociology ams to prove it. Sociologists aim to “look behind curtains” to understand the complexity of society. Sociologist want to find out why people react and behave in certain ways. Its important for us to study sociology because its essential for peaceful and prosperous living. The study of society helps us analyze the quality of our everyday lives such as: Inequalities in the wealth of nations and classes, problems in gender relations, ethnic, racial and religious
Positivism is a research method that developed from the behavioral revolution, which sought to combine positivism and empiricism to politics (Halperin and Heath, 2012: 27). That is to say, this research approach is governed by natural law to observe, understand and to find meaning in the empirical world. This type of research seeks to answer two empirical questions, such as ‘what is out there’ and ‘what do we call it’ (Gerring, 2001: 156). Positivism is only interested in phenomenons that can be observed through our senses. Thus, positivism is interested in social realities that can be observed and measured by the scientific method (Halperin and Heath, 2012: 29). Furthermore, positivism believes that the gathering of evidence through scientific method can create knowledge and laws, known as induction (Halperin and Heath, 2012: 27). That is to say, evidence can be verified and later generalized then applied to multiple contexts. A positivist would investigate empirical questions that assume how the world works through the accuracy of a probable truth (Gerring, 2001: 155).