SOC 4369 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Ideal Type
Document Summary
Not static, constantly modifying older theories and developing new ones. Good principle of theory is parsimony: the simple the idea the better; everything else is equal. Ideology: nonscientific theory, based on political values or faith with assumptions, concepts and explanations. Closed system that resists change, not directly falsified with empirical data, and makes normative claims: distinguish in 7 ways: Certainty of answers: it offers absolute truth and certain answers. Type of knowledge system differs: closed system of knowledge that changes little. Claim to have all the answers and do not require improvement. As seen in faith or religious belief. Tells what to desire, proper, moral and right versus what is wrong, etc. Ideology will protect and interpret certain evidence to protect an ideological belief. Ideologies contain features that are obscure or difficult to pinpoint. Assumption: untested starting point or belief in a theory to build a theoretical explanation.
