Lesson 1-2: Discipline and Ideas in Social Sciences PDF

 The Social sciences have a critical contribution to make, in helping us understand, imagine, and craft a more sustainable future for all. - UNESCO  What Comprises a Society? “Patterns” of our usual behavior: Why we do certain things the way we do? Why we associate...

 The Social sciences have a critical contribution to make, in helping us understand, imagine, and craft a more sustainable future for all. - UNESCO  What Comprises a Society? “Patterns” of our usual behavior: Why we do certain things the way we do? Why we associate with a particular group of people Why we follow a specific belief or conviction? Why we are prohibited to do certain acts? Why we speak a particular language?  What Comprises a Society? “Structures” of our living conditions: Geographies area Social status Historical experience Economic forces Political institutions Ethnic grouping and religious affiliation Power relations among others.  How is social science related to society?  Social Sciences sees this structures either from the point of view of visible , concrete and empirical interactions of people, such as traditions and rituals, or from the vantage point of the mind. It helps provide with the necessary perspective and methodological tools for us to understand the realities around us that are, more often than not “HIDDEN” from our “NORMAL” understanding of the world around us. - Social sciences focus on the study of society and the relationship among individuals within society.  NATURE conjures an image of random and unstructured forces that shape a given area. Forces and events, while unrestrained and dynamic follow a general pattern, law or process Patterns and laws follows uniformity that helps researcher to trace back what happen it the past. NATURAL SCIENCES – developed a sophisticated ways on how to investigate nature SCIENCE draws from the belief that knowledge is not inherent in sacred scriptures but comes from a keen observation of the surroundings and that we can learned through the used of scientific method.  Society is organized, structured and formalized, and bound by rules drafted and implemented by the people who themselves constitute society. Society refers to a group of people who share a culture and a territory. Socialization affects the overall cultural practices of a society and shape one’s self-image.  Society MAX WEBER RATIONALIZATION inside a society, human actions, behaviors, patterns of activities, and decision-making were done in a more efficient, legal, and logical manner Rational mind imposes control and order in society. Ex. Capitalism – maximizes the full benefit from the production of commodity.  Society - Different types of societies all over the world (Late 19th- early 20th century) - WESTERN (European and N. America) - urban and industrialized society or modern and civilized. - NON-WESTERN / PRIMITIVE SOCIETY – tradition-and superstition-bound  What is MODERNITY? A concept that deals not only with the shifts in the physical and material conditions of society but also with the mental and behavioral shifts among people.  MODERNITY an economic and ideological phenomenon that challenges the West and to which the people respond according to status Characterized by the presence of urbanism and capitalism.  MODERNITY Radical and rapid Western society Modern, industrial process of social from a largely and capitalist and technological feudal state state. changes  MODERNITY It become a blueprint of society that promotes individualism and organic solidarity or interdependence (Emile Durkheim) among its different members. Emile Durkheim – Father of Sociology and Anthropology he provide the foundation of modern social science. Saw an interdependent society based on having specialized yet complimentary work.  FUNCTIONALISM suggests that cultural and social institutions is to perform certain functions that contribute to the overall health of society, thus, preserving itself to posterity Overall Harmony is important to avoid society in collapsing. MECHANICAL SOLIDARITY (Durkheim) People’s cooperation is due to similar experiences in work, lifeways, values, and worldview. (they experience the same thing)  POSITIVISM a philosophy developed in Europe about a century before the Industrial Revolution. calls for a commitment to objectivity and focuses on applying the laws of nature to a model of society believes that scientific thought is a superior knowledge than superstition and religion, achieved through objective and empirical analysis of phenomena.  POSITIVISM Auguste Comte (advocate) suggested that theology and metaphysics are flawed— they could not be proven empirically—and could not be trusted. He, along with other Positivists, believed in the power of rational thought in uncovering hidden processes and structures in society.