Value-free Sociology

The role of value in sociological inquiry is debatable. As sociologists observe social reality of their own society, implicitly or explicitly the social research is value laden.

Beginning from August Comte, a positivist, advocated for the value free sociology and studied structure of the society. Likewise, Emile Durkheim and Karl Marx didn't give much importance to value while studying social structure.

Max Weber in his work The Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism, 1904 gave importance to social action determined by value system which in turn leads to social consequences and social structures. Talcott Parsons in his Social System and Pattern Variables highlighted value system which is responsible for socialization, consequently leading to different social roles and social institutions. However, David J. Gray in his paper Value-free Sociology: a Doctrine of Hypocrisy and Irresponsibility argues that Durkheim's classical work Suicide did not shy away from value question. Durkheim discussed at some length the means by which the "evil" could be overcome. Gray also says value orientation in Comte's advocacy of sociocracy, Tönnies' bias for Gemeinschaft and opposed to Gesellschaft, Cooley's fascination for primary group and Veblen's condemnation of conspicuous leisure all testify to value commitment on their part.

Sociology As Interpretative Discipline

Max Weber (1864-1920) was the founder of  "interpretive (Verstehen ) sociology". The basic premise of that is that the fact and data are fully amenable to the sensory observations. According to him, sociology makes critical interpretations on social action. All the social behaviour is viewed as observable form without. Even internal meaning and motives underlying the behaviour of a person are supposed to be shaped by forces outside him namely society. Max argues that social reality is characterized by "geist" or "consciousness". Due to the presence of consciousness, people ascribe meaning to the situations around them which include other people too. The meaning influence the subsequent behaviour. Consequently, any attempt to understand social reality must be taken into account for these meaning and motives. The meaning ascribed by the people are partly determined by the cultural norms and partly shaped by the individual actors.

Thus, an attempt to understand social behaviour should not stop simple at observation from without instead it should involve interpretation of underlying meaning and motives. This requires use of new method though which the emphatic liaison can be established between the observer and the actor or subject.

Empathetic liaison means that observer tries to place him or herself imaginatively in the actor's position. Having established empathetic liaison sociologist tries to figure out meaning and motives given by the actor. then rationally explain actor's behaviour in terms of those meaning and motives.

The thinkers

Sociological Thinkers

These are the heroes of Sociology. They have established and nurtured the discipline.They are the legends.