SOCI 2040 Chapter Notes -Age Of Enlightenment, Natural Science, Social Fact
17 Oct 2013
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Document Summary
Theory is vital in making sense of social life observations and facts. Facts make sense bc we make associations to preexisting categories/assumptions (theories: facts are still based on implicit assumptions and unacknowledged presuppositions. Theory is a system of generalized statements of propositions about phenomena. Scientific theories: explain and predict phenomena in question, and. Certain theories share the same characteristics with other scientific theories like natural science: still some significant differences . Sociological theories are more critical and evaluative. Rooted in moral assumptions rather than scientific objectivity. Societies are on an on-going process of change internal conflicts, wars, scientific/technological advances, economic markets, and more. Makes it difficult to form a universal law that explains social dynamics. As humans, our behaviour is motived by psychological and social forces (self-interest, loyalty, passion, tradition, or habit) Is it an ordered social universe: patterns of social life, a product of structural arrangements, or historical conditions.
