No one would agree that the examination of social phenomenon is free of any complications. The study of society could not be as simply measured and proved as in case of physical or natural sciences. However, one is definitely mistaken when he states that sociology could not be recognized as a separate study in any case. The opponents of sociology specifically stress upon the ambiguity of sociological conclusions as well as on its ability to anticipate the future events and trends and people are writing scholarship essays on this. However, it should be noted that a lot of sciences including meteorology then could not be taken seriously. They fail to provide the community with the exact prognosis as to the future. Considering all of it, it is important to prove the possibility of sociology to be recognized as another branch of science. Additionally, this paper will focus upon its relatedness to the other fields of human sciences.
Needless to say that scientific nature of any science could be best perceived through its methodology. If any discipline is capable of applying scientific methods then it should be considered to be as a science. Additionally, if the conclusions are generated as a result of use of scientific methods then they should be accepted as scientific either. Thus, it is important to prove that core methodology used in other sciences could be as well exploited in regard to the sociology.
Firstly, it should be noted that sociologists are carrying out field investigations in the same way other scholars do. Moreover, while the latter one usually make their theories out of air, the sociologies frequently base their suggestions upon the results retrieved from the empirical studies. For the purpose of the latter one, sociologists often conduct experiments, questionnaires, interviews, socio meter, etc. Naturally, all of these methods use quantitate tools which ensure that the results generated are exact. For example, if one is willing to prove that proper education necessarily leads to high profits, he simply counts and connects the dots. However, a difficulty is that it is often too expensive for a sociologist to carry out such studies.
Secondly, just as researchers of flora and fauna worlds turn to observe its residents, the sociology monitors the lives of human beings. However, the sociological scholars are limited in their seeking as they could not simply locate a person into a cave of a laboratory and observe its movements and behavioral patterns. At the same time, the whole world serves as the laboratory for sociologists. Whereas in the formal studies the relations between two variables are examined while the other factors are stabilized, in the sociology everything is exactly the same, except for the place of experimentation. The laboratory results are replaced by statistics which does not make sociology less scientific than biology or chemistry. If one takes into consideration the place of conducting studies when he determines whether certain discipline might be recognized as science, then the humanity would not be aware of astronomy. It indeed deals with the issues of the universe; and the latter one definitely does not suit the limited space of the laboratory. Additionally, the laws discovered by Newton and Archimedes are not debated due to the place of their discovery. Therefore, the results of sociological investigations carried out of laboratory facilities could qualify as reliable ones as well.
Another method that is frequently used in many sciences is comparison. Scholars tend to distinguish concepts in order to make them more understandable, realize the causes of their existence, etc. In this case, sociology is not an exception from the rule. The sociologists also often tend to compare various social phenomena, which later help to differentiate them and provide certain insights of how to deal with them.
The generalization as a scientific method is also applied in sociological studies. The researchers also are looking for the arguments letting them make certain generalization on specific issues. For example, sociology aims to determine the laws that are prohibiting certain behavior in all nations. For example, they tend to recognize that incest is not allowed in all countries of the world. In addition, it should be stressed that acute measurements are also applicable when it goes about sociological observations. It is always possible to measure social relations by using such tools as scales measurement, statistics, sociametry, etc.
The critics of sociology also state that due to the vulnerability and unpredictability of human character and behavior it is impossible to anticipate their actions and choices. However, the same law applies to the other sciences since if humans are unpredictable then the life in total could not be possible. Additionally, it should be noted that the concept of necessity of anticipation is outdated. Due to the conditions of the modern world the majority of the studies turn to provide the prognosis that is largely probable. At the same time, nowadays the sociology disposes the generalized knowledge of human behavior patterns, thus, certain exact prognosis are available.
That is no point in objecting that sociology is free of subjectivism. However, a lot of sciences such as philosophy, political thought, law, etc. are totally subjective as their ideas come from human mind as well. Every scientist while approaching the specific object of the research uses his own experience and knowledge. Following this, he reaches a conclusion that is based on his perception of the world. Considering the fact that such subjective disciplines as philosophy and political thought are recognized as sciences, one could not deny that sociology is a science.
Despite the use of scientific methods, the sociology possesses all characteristics of science. It is empirical and theoretical as well as value-free, objective, and cumulative. On the one hand, no one would deny that the knowledge obtained as a result of sociological studies is empirical. It is based on the credible evidence from the systematic researches. At the same time, the latter one could be exploited for generating of theoretical concepts, ideas, and models that attempt at explanation of social phenomenon. Further on, the sociology is recognized as cumulative science since it uses the knowledge that has been obtained out of sociological studies carried out in the past. In other words, it is largely built on the traditional concepts proven years ago that are not objected but often used in the specific social contexts. The objectivity of sociology is ensured by the scientific character of its methods. Though the information is perceived by an observer it is then filtered by the trust-worthy methodology. Finally, sociology provides the valuable data regarding the underlying reasons and fundamentals that guide any society. It provides no opinions or critics of social life.
In order to prove that sociology could be perceived as independent science, one should distinguish it from other branches of science. At first, the connection between sociology and political science is to be determined. One should definitely admit that these two disciplines are closely related. Any social problem usually has a political cause. Politicians frequently promise to resolve them. Secondly, they both share the same objects of research being the propaganda, war, riots, revolutions, law, and power. At the same time, whereas political science pays attention to the state and power, sociology mainly focuses on the society and social relations. The scope of research in case of sociology is larger than in case of political science. While politics examines formal relations, the sociology researches both formal and informal relations.
Sociology is also connected with history. No need to say that the reasons of nowadays behavior and movements should be found in the past. The society of the present day frequently bears the symbols of yesterday. This rule often applies to the Post-Soviet countries which still share similar features due to the same past. Therefore, both history and sociology look in the past. However, the knowledge of history is usually concrete while the sociological concepts are often theoretical and abstract. Secondly, it deals with the variety of issues having place in the past while sociology focuses only upon the society. Thirdly, whereas history is descriptive, at large, sociology provides a deep analytics regarding every issue researched. Finally, the overall attitude of these two sciences is different. History focuses on the fact in its entirety while sociology examines each event as a sociological phenomenon.
Naturally, all social relations are influenced by economy. That is why it is important to glance at the relations of economics and sociology. Both sciences benefit one from another. The economics enriches its knowledge by using sociological facts and doctrines while the sociology bases its conclusions on the economic developments and their outcomes. However, economy focuses on the choice and wealth. The sociology examines society, in general, and its dependence on economy, in particular. The scope of the latter one is wider. Additionally, economics and sociology have completely different methods of studies.
Finally, sociology is often related to psychology. Some of scientists even refuse to recognize them as separate braches of study. Indeed, both sociology and psychology aim to provide an answer to the eternal question. It is what drives us to make certain decisions. One more question what influences human behavior, etc. However, the sociology examines human mind in a group, while psychology focuses solely on work of mind and mental processes.
Having determined the relations of sociology with other sciences as well as proved the scientific character of its features and methods used one should infer as follows. This discipline could be regarded as a separate science.
