![]() Sociological TheoriesĪ sociological theory simply means an explanation about a phenomenon with a sociological point of view. Though each has their own strengths and limitations, it is best to know that these three sociological perspectives provided the basic knowledge foundations for many great sociological theories that sociologists use nowadays to understand the world and societies. It seeks to use sociological knowledge to ameliorate human and societal conditions. Its central concept is from Karl Marx’s historical materialism or the belief that societies are shaped mainly by power relations and collective economic activities.Īs opposed to the first two perspectives, the goal of critical sociology is not just to explain or understand society, but primarily to change it-with emancipatory interest. Meanwhile, in critical sociology, the rule of value-free social science does not apply as it originated from social activism, revolutionary struggles, social justice movements, and radical critique. The heart of this perspective is the meanings and intentions behind social action to arrive at a causal explanation. It is believed that this perspective was grounded from Max Weber’s concept of verstehen (a German term, which means to understand) and is aligned with the humanities’ hermeneutic traditions. ![]() Its focus is neither to make generalizations nor predictions, but to have an in-depth understanding of human activities and to interpret the subjective experience of a certain social action. In contrast with positivism, interpretive sociology takes into consideration the unique point of view of an individual and the meanings he attributes to his actions. ![]() Metaphysics and those that do not have empirical evidence would have no room under positivity and be considered invalid. law-like statements (general laws must be formulated in studying a specific phenomenon).unity of scientific method (natural and social sciences should adopt the same procedures and principles in testing).value-neutrality (should be objective and not influenced by values, biases, and personal interests).empiricism (claims should be observable and experienced).The validity of knowledge is based on the following: It heavily relies only on facts that can be observed and measured in order to find the natural laws of social behavior. Look for meanings and understand how humans make sense of their worldĮchoing August Comte’s ideas, positivist sociology is the application of scientific methods and tools like that of natural science to the study of society. Search for laws and predicts human behavior Sociology uses three lenses as it studies society: positivist, interpretive, and critical perspectives. It is the task of sociologists to lead people to see connections between these two planes, which will allow the individual to form a sociological perspective of his situation and thus, will be more equipped to act accordingly. Having a mindset like this does not happen overnight. Rather than the individual, its source is rooted in societal patterns. However, when these seemingly personal troubles are widely shared, Mills argued that these are beyond one’s inner life and can now be considered as public issues-those that are linked to the society’s structures, institutions, and processes. These are private issues within the individual’s control and character. The life that one has now is the result of their own decisions as well as the history and structures in his society.Ĭhallenges that are in one’s immediate milieu are defined by Mills as personal troubles. ![]() It is seeing the relationship and connection of the patterns of their own lives within the course of history and the society they are living in. This is a quality of mind that enables one to “grasp the interplay of individuals and society, of biography and history, of self and world” (Mills, 1959). But according to Mills, having sociological imagination is essential for a person to be more aware of his situation. Mills was an American contemporary sociologist and a Columbia University professor who provided a framework for individuals to better understand their social world and for them to make more informed decisions in their daily lives.īecause people have limited scenes with the social world, they do not automatically connect their experiences within their private orbits with the larger societal context. Wright Mills (1916-1962), helped other thinkers clear the distinction between these two by introducing the concept of sociological imagination. When does a personal issue be considered a societal problem?Ĭharles Wright Mills, or commonly referred to as C. The Ultimate NMAT Reviewer Table of Contents The World in Sociological Lens - FilipiKnowīefore diving into several sociological concepts, let us understand first the dominant perspectives and theories that will serve as a guide on how an aspiring sociologist should look at society.
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