Sociology- is it a valid discipline?

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M

Mooky

Guest
#1
#1
Hi everyone,
A question that has irked me for some time is, is sociology/social science a valid discipline?ie.can one find truth in this field?Or is it, like its cousin, psychology, a bit of a dubious system of thought because it is based on false premises ie. the methodologies of fallen, unregenerate man?
I would love some insights into this.
Thanks,
Mooky.
 
Digital_Angel_316

Digital_Angel_316

Banned
#2
May 2, 2011
1,134
8
0
#2
Secular Sociology may be used as just another tool of Satan. Sociology has a place in scriptural studies as does history and anthropology. We are after all dealing with social systems and sin, both personal AND SOCIETAL. Group-think sweeps many into certain mindsets, then behaviors based on social stimulus (e.g. propaganda, advertising, idolatry (e.g. sports, music, entertainment, materialism, food)).

A study of sociology or any other study for that matter should always be based on scriptural principles, but it can add depth to scriptural studies when taken that way. The Bio-Psycho-Social (BPS) Model attempts to take all these factors into account making each lesser by itself and the whole, greater than the sum of its parts. An example would be studying Erikson versus Freud in understanding the ID and EGO concepts.

So yes, be careful, as in all things, but also accept that we are told that the key is to 'be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds...' The sociology is all right there in the Bible as is the Psychology. Deeper studies may lead you into Neuro Linguistic Programming, a topic for another day ...
 
O

OFM

Guest
#3
#3
its about the social life styles not allways Christian
 
I

Indubitably

Guest
#4
#4
Sociology is a bit like psychology in that no matter what the facts are or seem to be, it's the interpretation of a single person using those facts or even conjecturing based on their supposed intelligence and wisdom. I truly have found the best study of sociology in the Word of God. All human behavior as it relates to social issues is covered in the Bible.
 
sanglina

sanglina

Senior Member
#5
Jul 28, 2012
857
4
0
#5
No culture or society is the same. What is consider 'normal' social behaviour in one culture may be interpreted differently in another culture. The same goes for other social institutions. Sociology/anthropology or social science as a separate discipline helps us to better understand the existing different human social behaviour/institutions across cultures by contextualizing it. So, yes, its a valid discipline.
 
A

AgeofKnowledge

Guest
#6
#6
The answer is both yes and no and is dependent on the epstimologies (e.g. body of knowledge and presumptions) being incorporated.

Sociology itself is simply the scientific study of human social behavior and its origins, development, organizations, and institutions. When done properly, within the Christian worldview, it yields a wealth of usable information that results in desirable outcomes for society.

The problem we are seeing in the academic and governmental domains is a sociology incorporating false presumptions and epstimologies that are resulting in many undesirable outcomes for society.

Christian sociologists are, unfortunately, a minority in the field of sociology but their work is very good. If the academic and governmental domains would align with the work of these Christian sociologists: you would see a much better result.

But they don't to a large extent. They maintain that only reductive materialism exists and that all reality is simply the result of general evolution with meaning relative and rooted in evolutionary linguistic markers.

For an introduction to Christian sociology, I recommend 'Sociology, A Christian Approach for Changing the World' 2nd Edition (Cynthia Tweedell, Editor and Contributor).



Triangle Publishing

Mooky said:
Hi everyone,
A question that has irked me for some time is, is sociology/social science a valid discipline?ie.can one find truth in this field?Or is it, like its cousin, psychology, a bit of a dubious system of thought because it is based on false premises ie. the methodologies of fallen, unregenerate man?
I would love some insights into this.
Thanks,
Mooky.
Click to expand...
 
M

Mooky

Guest
#7
#7
AgeofKnowledge said:
The answer is both yes and no and is dependent on the epstimologies (e.g. body of knowledge and presumptions) being incorporated.

Sociology itself is simply the scientific study of human social behavior and its origins, development, organizations, and institutions. When done properly, within the Christian worldview, it yields a wealth of usable information that results in desirable outcomes for society.

The problem we are seeing in the academic and governmental domains is a sociology incorporating false presumptions and epstimologies that are resulting in many undesirable outcomes for society.

Christian sociologists are, unfortunately, a minority in the field of sociology but their work is very good. If the academic and governmental domains would align with the work of these Christian sociologists: you would see a much better result.

But they don't to a large extent. They maintain that only reductive materialism exists and that all reality is simply the result of general evolution with meaning relative and rooted in evolutionary linguistic markers.

For an introduction to Christian sociology, I recommend 'Sociology, A Christian Approach for Changing the World' 2nd Edition (Cynthia Tweedell, Editor and Contributor).



Triangle Publishing
Click to expand...

Wow!Thanks AgeofKnowledge....just the kind of insight I was looking for....having done some sociology at uni , I am familiar with the terms you have used and can tell you know what you are talking about.

I geuss my next question would be wether you think there is any value for a believer to major in secular sociology, given the pitfalls of the predominantly materialist worldview that it is enveloped in - taking into account that I have a strong interest in this subject area which wont go away?

( I have talked to an a christian academic and lecturer who works in this field, and she has a a very interesting set of problems to deal with in the academic world. It seems very heady. She tries to get through to her students and co-workers who are vehemently and aggressively atheistic but with little success - Australia is a predominantly secular country. I know I have to take this into account if I am to take this interest further.)
 
A

AgeofKnowledge

Guest
#8
#8
I would say yes Mooky; however, making a career outside of Christian organizations and universities can be challenging.

Christians in the field are denied tenure and promotion within the current structure simply for presenting Christian principles all the time.

Though not talked about much, one of the reasons you see people at the very top becoming vocal after converting to Christianity, while those beneath them remain silent, is because they can. They have already made it. They are already wealthy and respected. Those in the ranks have to tow the line or risk having their careers destroyed or stunted in the current "environment."

Still, there is probably more wiggle room in the field of sociology than many other science-related disciplines. Especially, if you end up in the field doing primary research.
 
R

Raitoe

Guest
#9
#9
This isn't really a question for a Christian site. A question of this sort falls more so under science/pseudoscience, which religion isn't too keen on endorsing. I would say sociology and psychology are both VERY legitimate sciences. However, this does not mean it's an easy science to comprehend and it is rather illogical to anyone looking in at it without any experience. You could argue, under the constraints of the fluid time theory and string theory, neither science nor anything we perceive to be real is not definitive, but most people don't think about it like that.
Just because it's not solid like 1+1 does not mean it's incorrect, even though it's extremely hard to justify a statement that they are not logical and defined in their rules. A psychopath is defined as such by psychology, and a religion is traced by sociology. These fields study things only tangible in the human mind and its scope of emotions, not rocks and water.
If you imagine a world without sociology or psychology, there'd be no way to trace anything back to an origin (language, country or religion) and without psychology war would be infinitely more confusing as you would never be able to analyze the enemy's prior movements to predict the next.
 
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KJV15John11

Guest
#11
#11
All sciences, regardless of the intent of those within the field, only help to explain God. Since God created all things in the universe, any attempt to understand any part of it will eventually lead back to Him. To determine if it is valid information, all that is required is to see if it stands up in the face of The Word. The sciences give us a better understanding of the glory of God and only proves His omnipotence. The secular scientists may try to reduce God's creation to simplistic terms, but end up only proving His existence and wonder.
 
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