1. Sociology as a Science- Justify your answer.

Ans: Yes, Sociology as a science but there is a controversy about the nature of sociology as a science. “Is sociology a science”- is an issue which is highly debated and discussed. A correct answer to this question cannot be divided into two categories ‘Yes’ or ‘no’. But the correct answer should be in terms of degree, the degree to which sociology is a science. Some critics argue that sociology cannot claim to be a science. Some others assert that sociology is very much a science like other social sciences such as political science, economics, and psychology.

       In this regard, W.F. Ogburn, an American Sociologist, is of the opinion that sociology is a science. According to him, a science is to be judged by three criteria:

(i) The reliability of its body of knowledge.

(ii) Its organization and

(iii) Its method

(i) The reliability of its body of knowledge:

Science depends upon reliable of knowledge. It assumes that all phenomena show uniformities and regularities. It seeks to establish generalisations that are universal. But sociological generalisations are restricted to time and space. It mainly deals with the human material and this human material is irregular and illusive. Social relations are not fixed but flexible. It is difficult to control the variable, and there are many variables in social data. In spite of difficulties, sociologist have tried to establish generalisations which have had great success.

          A very good test of the reliability of knowledge is the test of prediction and control. Predictions are difficult to be made in sociology, if not possible so also the control. For instance, there are many causes for juvenile delinquency like- unhappy parents, broken home and crowded cities. To test the effect of only one factor that is broken home on juvenile delinquency only, we should control the other variables like crowded cities. This is almost an impossible task.

(ii) The organisation of knowledge:

the science should be organized. The organisation of a science rests upon the relationship which the parts of knowledge bear to each other. As regards the organisation of knowledge, sociology is not disappointing. In sociology there are many inter-relationships which are enough to encourage more discoveries through inadequate to provide a proper synthesis for the whole field.

iii. The method:

A branch of knowledge can be called science if it follows the scientific method in its studies and investigations. Scientific methods start with a hypothesis. This hypothesis is verified through experimentation. But an experimentation of laboratory situation is difficult in sociology.

      The laboratory experiment which has been a great aid to many natural scientists is not very common in sociology because there are some limitations in the experiment method which is related to human conduct.

    Experimental method requires a fixed static situation. But it is difficult in sociology because life is dynamic and not static. Strictly speaking, laboratory experiment is not possible in sociology. However, sociology we can measure the relationships of two variables by employing statistical method.

Sociology has quite a number of other methods besides the experimental method. The historical, case study method, social survey method, functional method, the statistical methods etc. can be cited here as an example. These methods are often found to be fruitful in sociological studies. Sociology has shown itself a growing science. O course, sociology as a science is not accurate as physics or chemistry. It is true that social phenomena are hard to measure.