Реферат: Is Sociology Essay Research Paper Is Sociology

Functionalism theorises that all parts of society are equal because they are interdependent much the same as the human body. Interdependent on each other as a means of survival for if one part were to break down the whole system would die. For example if the heart were to die the human body could not function and cease to exist. Therefore society should be regarded as a system. A system being an entity made up of interconnected and interrelated parts, each part affecting the other. This type of integration and interdependency is achieved in society through functional prerequisites and value consensus. Functional prerequisites being the needs and requirements of society members that needs to be met in order for its survival. For example means of producing food, warmth and shelter are necessary as without them society would not survive. Value consensus being the unspoken agreement of shared values between members of society. This value consensus is expressed through various parts of the social structure integrating them in the process. The value consensus also gives the order and stability needed to uphold the social system. Although functionalism see the value consensus as a key element of society s system, they do recognize that conflict can occur but merely as a small ripple in a vast ocean that is immediately swallowed back into the sea of life as society evolves.

Other theorists however see these tiny ripples of contradiction and conflict as building into giant crashing tidal waves. A good example of this conflicting theory of functionalism is through the work of Karl Marx (1818-83) for he theorises that the contradictions, conflicts and exploitation of fellow man form the basis of social change and society s infrastructure. People are both the product and producers of society . In explanation of the Marxist theory if we begin with the basic instinct of man survival, in order to achieve this the need for material objects and food need to be met. These are only possible by entering into social relationships with other people, forming the labour of production. The forces of production (technology and raw materials etc.) then need to correspond with the social relationship. The correspondence of the two forming the framework or infrastructure of society. All other areas of society such as political and legal aspect s form the superstructure and are shaped by the infrastructure. In understanding this we can see how parts of the social system are formed to meet our needs and requirements and form the social structure. Conflict within the society s framework will then need a corresponding change in other areas in order to survive. Marx believes that the main conflict within society being exploitation of the relations of production (employed labour) by the forces of production (employer). For the value of production produced by the labourer exceeds the wage paid by the employer to the labourer. The employer is then exploiting those he employs, as he is not paying the producer a true value in comparison to the product produced. Therefore the employer became richer rising in earning and status above those that he employed. This all in turn not only creating conflict but also social class division. Once workers realised the value of their worth they formed unions to uphold their rights and demands in working environment, safety and wage. Society then had to change to incorporate the union s rights. Then laws needed to be introduced to protect them. This is and will be an ongoing process as technology evolves; the work environment will follow suit then the rights of the worker. Although there will always be the division created through exploitation and mans greed for material gain.

This has happened in many areas of society and society has evolved and altered each time to incorporate the ever-increasing demands and changes of lifestyle of those within it. We can however only evolve and incorporate within our society by understanding the structure of society and its infrastructure (the individuals that form the social class). Studying society, gathering information-forming paradigms and understanding the religions and beliefs of others achieve this. Sociology therefore must be considered a social science as in doing so we are given a greater understanding of others points of view and enables an understanding of concepts beyond the individual.

Science of any kind gives us factual information that leads to further understanding and questions that need to be asked. Through interpretation of the information gathered. This will lead to more rational and educated concepts of society.

So in treating sociology as a social science, societies can be systematically studied and understood and ways of improving the lives of those within it can be found. Governments, which we elect to uphold the shared consensus of our society, can have a greater understanding of the evolving needs and requirements of the people within it. This is seen through unemployment figures etc, as the government is then able to see the need to create an opportunity for those without modern technology standards to enter into further education in order to obtain them . This could not be possible without unemployment figures as in studying them it is able to understand the type of people unemployed and the areas in society, which would benefit from the greater aid.

Sociology though will always be subject to scrutiny over its objectiveness. This being as we are all even if subconsciously so biased in our judgement in comparison to our needs or the theory of which we are hoping to prove.

Social science does however have a more open understanding than other sciences as if a theory in natural science is not always proven to be correct it is often ignored and presumed that the experiment was incorrectly preformed by the for example chemist. Where as in social science if the same problem occurs the sociologist will review the theory and if necessary a new theory will be made.

Sociology is therefore an open a constantly evolving people s Social Science.