Essay on "Sociology Perspectives the Inherency of Sociology's Versatility"

Essay 4 pages (1282 words) Sources: 9

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Sociology Perspectives

The Inherency of Sociology's Versatility

Philosophers, scientists and artists have collectively sought throughout the course of human history to understand, characterize and empirically determine the mechanisms that drive human society. In terms of systems both large and small, in terms of interactions both measurable and observable, within scientific and speculative contexts, scholarly examination of the interaction between human beings, as well as the interaction between human beings and elements of the world around them, has been a major preoccupation. The sheer complexity and variability of this discussion would produce the modern discipline known as sociology. Troubled at its very core by the complexity of humankind and human societies, the study's multitude of perspectives has occurred out of necessity.

The ambition of sociology is itself already aimed at such a multitude of goals. Accordingly, we find that "sociology tries to concern itself with the nature of the human being, the meaning and basis of social order, and the causes and consequences of social inequality. It focuses on society, social organization, social institutions, social interactions, and social problems." (BI, 1)

Over the course of history, this has not only demanded an extremely flexible way of querying certain human or cultural phenomena, but it has also demanded a greater formalism in the way that we have approached these questions. So indicates McClelland (2000), who refers to functionalism as answering to this demand. McClelland indicates that "functionalism is the oldest, and still the dominant, theoretical perspective in sociology and many other social sciences. This perspective is built upon twin emphases: application of the scientific method to the objective social world and use of an analogy between the individual organism and society." (McClelland, 1)

Of course, as societies have changed, this means that human beings have as well. Such thinkers as Emile Durkheim and Karl Marx would take particular care to investigate the implications of such changes. Durkheim's accomplishments are tantamount to founding sociological theory from an academic standpoint. His advocacy of socially guided philosophical education, in lieu of incidental reinforcement of the authority of the clergy or other false power structures, made him a controversial figure in France. But his determination to supplement the humanistic disciplines which had heretofore ruled the path of France's philosophical academe with more socially inclined perspectives on the human condition moved sociology onto much more salient planes. Durkheim's efforts introduced the first social science classes ever and was soon an influential Paris professor.

Marx's ideas were also immensely important to the refinement of sociological theory, applying what he perceived as evident impulses in interdependent human matrices toward semantic advocacies of collective progress, emphasis on labor contribution and state funding for clear, demonstrable public needs. His observations became, and continue to stand as, a corner-stone not just in political thought, but in the application of critical theory. His work sprang directly from the notion that the needs and impulses of the people would be the prime determinant for social-function mechanisms such as government and labor unions.

For both Durkheim and Marx, as well as many of their respective contemporaries, there was an understanding that views on these matters carried great weight in terms of how decisions are made at a governmental level, at an organizational level, at a corporate level and even within communities and families. Therefore, they held the view that it was of great necessity to formalize the otherwise highly arbitrary discussions on these matters so as to refine, reform or predict negative patterns in social organization. This imperative is echoed in a seminal text by Giddings (1984), which would argue that "no science is at this moment in greater need of theoretical organization than sociology. A rapidly growing body of coordinated knowledge is called by this name." (p. 7)

Indeed, this simple proclamation reflects the challenge that has invoked so many divergent opinions on how to… READ MORE

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