Question

Which of the following is/are true about Sociology?

• A. Sociology is a social science and not a physical science.
• B. Sociology is a definitive study but not a directive study.
• C. Sociology is a pure science and not an applied science.
• D. Sociology is an intangible science and not a tangible science

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C), (D)

The correct options are
A Sociology is a social science and not a physical science.
B Sociology is a definitive study but not a directive study.
C Sociology is a pure science and not an applied science.
D Sociology is an intangible science and not a tangible science

Sociology has a unique place among all the social sciences. It is different from other social sciences due to its unique nature. Sociology is considered as an independent and separate field of study. The features of Sociology are:

1. Sociology is a social science and not a physical science: Sociology belongs to the group of social sciences and not to the group of physical sciences. It studies social life and activities of human society. It also has a close relationship with other social sciences like History, Political Science, Economics, Psychology and Anthropology.

2. Sociology is a definitive study but not a directive study : Sociology studies human society as it is. It never engages in ‘How it should be’ study. It does not engage in value judgements. It aims at objective study only. Sociology remains ‘neutral’ in value based aspects.

3. Sociology is a pure science and not an applied science: Sociology is interested in objective study that results in the formation of empirical body knowledge only. It is not an applied science which is interested in experiments.

4. Sociology is an intangible science and not a tangible science : Sociology is not interested in some of the tangible aspects of human life. It has interest in the form and pattern of human events. It has no interest in any specific battle or revolution like History. It considers these events as patterns and forms of Social conflict and subjects them to a scientific study.

5. Sociology is a general science and not a special science : Among all the social sciences, only Sociology studies the general interactions involving human beings like religion, politics and economy, moral and intellectual aspects. It has a wider scope than other social sciences.