Understanding Functionalism in Sociology

Functionalism

• A sociological perspective views society as a complex system with interrelated, interdependent parts.
• Each part ensures stability and proper function.
• Social institutions like family, education, and religion promote social order and stability.
• Émile Durkheim, a key figure, believes shared values, etc., are crucial for keeping society together.

Key Components

• Functionalism views Society as a System: various parts function together.
• Interrelated Parts: Each part (family, education, religion) contributes to stability.
• Social Processes: Repetitive behavior and deviance helps maintain social order.
• Shared Values: Common beliefs and norms bind individuals for cooperation/cohesion.

Role of Shared Values

• Promote Social Stability: Shared values foster a sense of belonging and unity.
• Facilitate Cooperation: Enable individuals to work towards common goals.
• Guide Behavior: Give acceptable behavior guidelines.

Critiques of Functionalism

• Rose-Tinted View: Critics argue it's optimistic and overlooks societal complexities.
• Neglect of Social Change: Underemphasizes the need for social change to address social issues.
• Overemphasis on Stability: Ignores power dynamics and individual agency.

Symbolic Interactionism

• A theory emphasizing subjective viewpoints in understanding shaping of the world.
• Individuals' subjective viewpoints make sense of the world from their perspective (Carter and Fuller, 2015).
• Communication: Individuals interact with each other communicating through shared language and symbols.
• Meaningful interactions: Individuals develop views and contribute to the construction of society.
• Society is socially constructed through communication/symbols.

Key Concepts of Symbolic Interactionism

• Social Order: Constructed from learned symbols and their applications.
• Meaning-Making: Process of establishing meanings through repeated interactions.
• Symbols: Tools through which individuals communicate/create shared meanings.
• Subjectivity: Each perspective is unique and influences the interpretation of symbols.

Critiques of Symbolic Interactionism

• Power Dynamics: Ignores the influence of individuals on shaping reality.
• Social Change: Lacks focus on the need for social change; focuses on maintaining social order.
• Contextual Limitations: Overlooks societal structures/contexts that guide interactions.

Technology and Society

• Technology is inseparable from the human condition and plays a crucial role in human development
• Science and technology don't always benefit humanity
• The relationship highlights the dual nature of technological advancements, where they can lead to both progress and challenges in society.

Understanding Technology as a Means to an End

• Technology is an instrument serving as a means to an end, based on cause and effect.
• This suggests that every event has a cause and this concept helps one understand its influence on society and culture.

Anthropological Perspectives on Technology

• Anthropology views technology as both a component and a product of culture.
• It is essential to explore how technology is aligned in relation to the biological and cultural evolution of humans.
• Technology is embedded in historical, social, and cultural contexts, which shapes its development and use.

The Impact of Technology on Cultural Development

• Julian Steward says that, "Technology serves as a means to connect human society with the natural environment"
• Tools/tech developed by humans significantly influenced cultural practices.

Role of Technology in Human Adaptations

• Human adaptations are technological and essential for survival/interaction with nature.

Technological Changes and Cultural Evolution

• Cultural evolution is significantly influenced by harnessing energy per capita.
• Leslie White identified technology shaped social systems and the evolution of these technological and social structures.

Socio-Technical Systems

• Socio-Technical Systems encompasses the interplay between technology and its social contexts
• New tech should not only focus on techniques but also contexts it originates from.
• Successful tech innovation requires modifiying all elements of the system.

Overview of Prehistoric Technologies

• Evolution of prehistoric implies the relationship between brain size and tech progress with hominids.
• As human evolution progressed, tool sophistication reflected society's complexitiy.

Social-Conflict Theory

• Posits that society has inequalities stemming from power, sources, and social status.
• It challenges the status quo and talks about social change regarding dominance.
• Consists of elements separated into: Superstructure and Infrastructure

Social-Conflict Theory: Components

• Superstructure: Institutions like government, family and religion.
• Infrastructure: Primarily the Economy.

Social-Conflict Theory in Context

• Sociological perspective alongside Symbolic Interactionism and Structural-Functionalism.
• Symbolic: Social order is constructed by learned symbols and meanings.
• Structural-Functionalism: Social institutions are essential for societal stability.
• Social-Conflict: Structural change promotes an egalitarian society.

Critiques of Social-Conflict Theory

• Neglects the importance of cooperation and consensus in social relations
• It is believed it may overlook complexities of social interactions.

Intellectual Revolutions

• These revolutions shape scientific and cultural development.
• Includes the Copernican, Darwinian, and Freudian revolutions.
• Each revolution introduced groundbreaking ideals that transform beliefs.

The Copernican Revolution

• Shift in astronomy starting in 1543.
• Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543): Proposed heliocentric model that claimed the Sun was the center.
• Galileo Galilei (1564-1642): Propped up Copernicus's model.
• Johannes Kepler (1571-1630): Formulated laws of planetary motion.
• Tycho Brahe (1546-1601): Gave precise astronomical data.
• Isaac Newton (1642-1727): Validated the heliocentric model.

The Darwinian Revolution

• Began with "On the Origin of Species" in 1859 that discussed the theory of natural selection:
• Charles Darwin (1809-1882): Asserted that environment guides adaptive traits.

Main Assumptions of the Darwinian Revolution

• All living organisms possess genetic materials that dictate their Traits
• Genes inherited are inhered, but only adaptive traits
• Genes are inherited but only adaptive traits are passed on.
• Genetic composition changes w environmental changes.
• Living organisms are products of environmental-genetic interaction.

Freudian Revolution

• In 1896 introduced human psyche thoughts by Sigmund Freud:
• Sigmund Freud (1856-1939): Claimed the self is projected onto others and is an impact on psychoanalysis.

Overview of Freud's Theories:

• Three forces of the psychical apparatus: Id, Ego, and Superego influencing behavior.
• Phases of sexuality: Oral, Anal, Phallic, and Genital.

Heidegger's Concept of Dasein

• Heidegger introduced the concept of activity of people "living" through being there" and "existing in the world".
• Dasein's central activity involves personal existence inquiries that emphasize it is always distinctive (1927-2011, p. 32).
• Main structure posited by Heidegger.

Heidegger's Critique of Western Civilization

• Western civilization leads to decline leading to nihilism.
• Only a rediscovery of being might save modern man from this decline

Heidegger's Critique of Technology

• Technology's role in constricting our experience.
• Sees humankind now seeing nature and also others as raw material.
• Escape from bondage requires knowing the danger of technology.

Technology and Truth in Heidegger's Philosophy

• Technology allows humans to encounter various entities like nature and others.
• Technology is a way to understand truth and being.

Major Inventions of the Ancient Era

• Housing (500,000 BC): community
• Clothing (500,000-100,000 BC): elements from nature
• Hunting Spears (400,000 BC): Improved hunt for survival
• Boat (60,000 BC): ability to move continents
• Wheeled (5,000 BC): travel and transport

Inventions of the Middle Ages (476 AD – 1500)

• War-related: catapult improved military capability.
• Farming: wheelbarrow enhanced efficiency and productivity.
• Timekeeping: hourglass for time management.

Key Themes of the Early Modern Age (1450-1750)

• Transition from Feudalism to Capitalism
• Age of Discovery:
• Rebirth of Science and Culture: scientific thought leading to the Enlightenment was a key part of this era

Modern Age Innovations

• Age of Revolutions: Transitions from monarchial to socials democratic governments such as the American/French Revolution (1775-1783 and 1789-1799).
• Technological Innovations: Introduction of machines and manufacturing processes during the ID revolution

Contemporary Modern Technologies

• This includes the digital revolution, and has changed the daily routine and communication,
• Includes: microprocessors, wireless tech and biometrics