Objectivity and values in Sociology

Objectivity and values in Sociology

1. Weber - value judgements and facts

   • 1) social reality - 'meaningless infinity' so we choose what to study based on the value relevance to us
   • 2) Keep our values out of data collection and hypothesis testing
   • 3) Facts should be set in a theoretical framework which is influenced by our values
   • 4) People must not dodge the political and moral issues of their work and decide the use of their findings

2. Modern positivists - values are irrelevant

   • Science is concerned with fact, researchers should stay morally neutral
   • In the 1950s, sociologists became 'problem takers' from 'problem makers'. Since they are hired, their personal values are irrelevant.

3. Committed sociology

   • Myrdal - sociologists should not only spell out the values but openly take sides
     • Value-free sociology is 1) impossible - either the sociologist or the person that hired them will have values. 2) undesirable - what would be the point because then we wouldn't value our own research

4. Becker

   • Values are always present, sociologists should the the side of the victims so their stories can be heard. Interactionists prefer qualitative data.
     • Gouldner - Marxist perspective, sociologists should take the side of political radicals trying to change society, they should help end their oppression by exposing the ways in which the powerful maintain their position