Question

'reflexive sociology is a meaningful alternative of positivism'. discuss.

Answer 1

Positivism

In sociology, positivism refers to the view that social phenomenon like human social behaviour and how societies are structured should be studied by using only the methods of natural sciences. Therefore, positivism is a view about the suitable methodology of social science. It emphasizes on empirical observation.

Reflexive sociology

In sociology, reflexivity refers to an act of self-reference where action or examination 'bends back on'. It refers to and affects the entity which instigates the action or examination.

Positivism is an approach to study the society by utilizing scientific evidence, like statistics and experiments to reveal the truth about the manner in which the society operates and functions. While reflexivity is a strategic agenda of utilizing the tools of the discipline to demystify sociology as a power saturated social practice. According to Pierre Bourdieu reflexive sociology is a self-referential methodology of social research. It turns the methods of constructing the research object back on themselves to produce more accurate understanding of the social world.

Answer 2

Thanks for this question. Please find the answer below:

The reflexive sociology is the circular relationships between the cause and effect.  It is entirely related to the cause of an incident and its effects.

There may be negative effects as well as positive ones when it comes to reflexive sociology isn’t positive.

Hence it can be said that the statement that; 'reflexive sociology is a meaningful alternative of positivism' is incorrect.