Is Sociology a Common Sense?

Introduction:

The discipline of sociology often finds itself contrasted with the concept of common sense. While common sense is rooted in everyday experiences and assumptions, sociologists rely on systematic, scientific methods to analyze social behavior, institutions, and patterns. This article delves into the relationship between these two domains, emphasizing how sociological research goes beyond what might initially seem logical or commonsensical.

Systematic Approach vs. Common Sense

Systematic Approach: Unlike common sense, which is often intuitive and self-evident, sociology employs a rigorous and scientifically validated method. By gathering data, testing hypotheses, and developing theories, sociologists aim to uncover patterns and relationships that may not be immediately apparent. This systematic approach helps to refine our understanding of social phenomena, often revealing complexities that commonsense observations cannot fully capture.

Challenging Assumptions

Challenging Assumptions: Common sense can sometimes be misleading, as it may be based on stereotypes and biases. For example, attributing poverty solely to divine will or personal choice is a common-sense perspective that sociological research would likely challenge. Sociology aims to provide evidence-based insights that can help us understand social issues more comprehensively, encouraging a more nuanced and critical view of human behavior and social interactions.

Cultural Context and Critical Perspective

Cultural Context: What is considered 'common sense' within a specific culture may not hold true across different contexts. Sociological research takes cultural differences into account, examining how social norms and beliefs vary and how they shape individual and collective behaviors. This critical perspective can help us move beyond simplistic or culturally embedded assumptions.

Critical Perspective: Sociology encourages critical thinking and skepticism about social norms and beliefs. By promoting a deeper understanding of the complexities of human behavior and social interactions, sociology can help challenge and alter harmful or outdated assumptions. This critical approach is essential for societal progress and change.

Common Sense and Sociological Research

Common Sense and Sociological Research: While common sense can provide initial insights and answers, sociological research often reveals complexities that commonsense observations cannot fully capture. For example, the idea that poverty is solely due to divine will is a common-sense explanation that sociological research would likely challenge. Sociologists use empirical evidence and systematic investigation to provide more nuanced and accurate understandings of social issues.

Sociology and common sense are not the same thing, although they share some similarities. Common sense can even be supportive of sociological theories, serving as a basis for further investigation. Sociology builds upon common sense, transforming it into a more structured and evidence-based framework. This transformation is essential for advancing our understanding of society and driving meaningful changes.

Social Sciences and the Sociology of Knowledge

Social sciences, including sociology, prefer knowledge that is well-defined and structured. The Sociology of Knowledge is a subfield that explores how social phenomena shape knowledge and how knowledge, in turn, shapes social phenomena. Sociology takes at least two different perspectives towards common sense: one treating it as a default condition of unexamined knowledge that should be made explicit, and another viewing it as a social phenomenon that can be studied systematically.

Key Concepts

Tacit Knowledge: Intuitive, often unarticulated know-how that is passed down through social interaction. Intuition: A quick, often unconscious, form of reasoning or problem-solving that may be influenced by past experiences. Folk Psychology: Social constructs that help individuals understand and predict the behavior of others, typically based on everyday social interactions.

One of the most popular sociology books written for the general public is Everything Is Obvious: How Common Sense Fails Us by Duncan Watts. This book discusses common misconceptions and errors in common sense explanations, highlighting the importance of scientific approaches in understanding social phenomena.

In conclusion, while sociology may sometimes align with common sense observations, it fundamentally seeks to deepen our understanding of society through systematic investigation. By challenging assumptions, examining cultural contexts, and employing rigorous methodologies, sociology often reveals complexities that common sense cannot adequately explain.