Nature of Sociology
Some of the social scientists and social thinkers do not acknowledge sociology to be a
science because they believe that sociology does not utilize scientific methodologies.
Despite this difference of opinion, some have a vision that sociology is a science.
In this way, sociology, a separate discipline of social sciences, is not free from
controversies. As it is described above, one group emphasizes that the nature of
sociology is scientific whilst the other group holds the opinion that sociology is not a
science. In fact, ‘Science’ refers to an approach, which helps us in the understanding
of anything, objectivity in a precise manner or a systematic way. Those who claim
that sociology is a science argue that sociology tries to obtain precise and systematic
knowledge about social reality. They often state the following reasons to explain the
scientific nature of sociology.
Those who believe sociology can’t be regarded as science state the following reasons.
1. Problem of Experimentation: The term ‘science’ is often used for physical
science. When we consider the physical science, it is related to two processes:
experiment and prediction. The subject matter of sociology involves human
relationship that cannot be analyzed in laboratory. In other words, society is so
complex that it is very difficult or impossible to separate and analyze the complex
components of society as can be done in physical science. Sprott observed that if
