How far is it correct that sociology as a science?
Answers
There exists a great controversy about the exact nature of Sociology. The question whether sociology is a science or not? Perhaps continue to confuse the mind of Sociologists since long. Perhaps due to this Sociologists got divided among themselves into two opposite groups. As a result two opposite views are available about the nature of Sociology. For one group of Sociologists Sociology is a science because Sociology adopts and applies the scientific method.
Others also asserts that Sociology is as much a science like political science, economics, psychology etc. But before forming any opinion or subscribing to any particular view we must know what is a science? And if sociology is a science how far or in what degree sociology does conform to the notion of science.
Sociology is a science. It is a science because of the following reasons:
(1) Sociology adopts scientific method
(2) Sociology makes accurate observation
(3) Objectivity is possible in Sociology
(4) Sociology describes cause-effect relationship
(5) Sociology makes accurate measurement
(7) Sociology makes generalization
Sociology is Not A Science:
those who deny the status of science to Sociology they put forth following arguments:
(1) Lack of objectivity
(2) Lack of Experimentation
(3) Lack of Prediction
(4) Lack of accurate measurement
The above argument shows that Sociology is not a science. But famous Sociologist Robert Bierstedt in his book “The social order” clearly explain the nature of Sociology in the following way:
(1) Sociology is a social and not a natural science.
(2) Sociology is a positive and not a normative science.
(3) Sociology is a pure science and not an applied science.
(4) Sociology is an abstract science and not a concrete science.
(5) Sociology is a generalising science and not a particularising science.
(6) Sociology is both a rational and an empirical science.
There subsists a great controversy about the specific nature of Sociology. Authorizing founders of Sociology such as Auguste Comte, Emile Durkheim, and others contribute to this view which says that sociology can be comprehended science. Others hold a contrary view and assume that Sociology is not a science. Auguste Comte opines like different natural sciences sociology also administered by several natural laws. Hence Sociology can be comprehended as Science. Others also warrant that Sociology is as significant as a science like political science, economics, psychology, etc. But before creating any idea or contributing to any special view we must know what is science? And if sociology is science how considerably or in what credentials sociology does correspond to the sentiment of science.