Nature of Sociology
Within the definition of sociology, the nature of social science lies. The nature and identity of sociology is written in the light of various definitions of sociology.
Firstly, sociology is a complete part in society. Sociology guarantees a complete analysis of society, wherever political science or economics focuses on one aspect of society. In fact, the goal of sociology is the integral discussion of society.
Secondly, sociology discusses the structure of society as well as the structural elements of society. Sociology focuses with special attention to what about society and how or whether a society assume a structural form or development. It is important to keep remember that human relations are the basis of social structure. Thus, sociology discusses the relationship between individual with the individual, with the group, with the society or any institutions, the mutual relationship among groups, society or institutions, and after all the different classes of society, professional groups, dignity, religion and ethnic-based communities.
Thirdly, sociology provides logic and scientific analysis of the social structure or society. Because, the social relationships of people are not isolated, irrational or useless. Those relationships have functional relationships. Sociology assume special attention at the relationship of the human being. Namely, it gives dominates to logic. As a result, sociology became logical and scientific, and it became analytical. Therefore, sociology is not merely a description of social relations, but rather a logical analysis. In fact, sociology is analytical social science.
Fourthly, sociology is a logical analysis of the structure of a changing society, or the objective interpretation of a society, it is often said that sociology is neutral on the question of ethics. Sociology takes a neutral stand on the question of what is good and what is evil, what should be right or wrong of society. It can be said that sociology remains silent on the question of morality.
In fact, there is a debate about how much the sociologist is capable of maintaining neutrality or how feasible it is in analyzing society. There is debate whether sociology will remain neutral.
In the context of the developing third world and the neglected fourth world, it is seen that after the study of sociology, sociology has been speaking about the development process and development potential of that society. In a planned way, that society also wants to change. In this situation, sociology should not be able to maintain values and neutrality.
On the other hand, the sociology of the capitalist world can be seen as a symbol of capitalist social thought and consciousness, and the socialism of the socialist world as a symbol of the ideal. That is, capitalist sociology analyzes the stability and structure of capitalist society and makes decisions in favor of capitalist society; Again, the socialist sociologist analyzes the rationality of the communist society and gives judgment in favor of communism. That is, in the final analysis or in the workplace, the sociologist is not neutral.
Yet, it is said that sociology must be neutral in its research in the interest of scientific analysis. This is the inevitable desire of scientific vision and consciousness.