What is
special or different about the kind of objectivity needed in social
science?
What is special or different about the kind of objectivity needed in social science?
The
special or different kind of objectivity needed in social science is
‘value neutrality’. According Max Weber, it was important
for sociologists to understand the subject matter of sociology in an
objective manner as social interactions incorporated subjective human
meanings, values, feelings, prejudices and ideals. For this, a
sociologist had to study and record the views of people and their
personal beliefs in a neutral way through empathetic understanding.
That is, s/he had to describe and could not judge or imply her/his
own conceptions to the understanding of others. Social scientists
were themselves a part of society. Therefore, the exercise of such
objectivity is deemed to be unique.
The special or different kind of objectivity needed in social science is ‘value neutrality’. According Max Weber, it was important for sociologists to understand the subject matter of sociology in an objective manner as social interactions incorporated subjective human meanings, values, feelings, prejudices and ideals. For this, a sociologist had to study and record the views of people and their personal beliefs in a neutral way through empathetic understanding. That is, s/he had to describe and could not judge or imply her/his own conceptions to the understanding of others. Social scientists were themselves a part of society. Therefore, the exercise of such objectivity is deemed to be unique.
