TEACHSOC: Values in Sociology

[Robert Hironimus-Wendt]

Hi Folks   I tend to side with John on the issue of values.   Sciences are always value driven. Those who perform them desire outcomes that are viewed as important, helpful, essential, necessary, etc. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, etc., are all disciplines, not tools. SPSS is a tool akin to a hammer. But the hammer does not define carpentry, any more than the survey defines sociology.   Sociology as developed in the U.S. was premised upon a social justice orientation (e.g. The Chicago School folks, Jane Addams, Du Bois, etc.). Subsequently, some American sociologists from 1940 to 1970 tried to suggest that sciences were divorced of morality (e.g., divorced of one form of reason), and since sociology is a science, it most denounce this form of reason. Ironically, biologists do not waste time with such matters, nor do chemists. They simply ply their trade for the purpose of making life better.   On a similar note, I have never perceived sociology as being depressing. I view it as liberating.   A good weekend to all Robert   Robert J. Hironimus-Wendt, Ph.D. Sociology and Anthropology Western Illinois University 1 University Circle Macomb, IL 61455-1390 phone: (309) 298-1081 fax: (309) 298-1857 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can,    in all the ways you can, in all the places you can,    at all the times you can, to all the people you can,  as long as ever you can." -- John Wesley From: teachsoc@googlegroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Del Thomas Ph. D. Sent: Friday, January 20, 2006 11:56 AM To: John Glass Cc: teachsoc@googlegroups.com Subject: TEACHSOC: Re: Escape from sociology The full picture   John Glass wrote:   as I have mentioned on this list and others, numerous times, sociology is a humanistic enterprise (or at least it was at its conception); as such, there are values inherent in that orientation. i believe that one can also tease out what constitutes good, bad, gloom, doom. etc., from that perspective, too.   With all due respect, sociology, social science is a tool.  Tools do not have inherent values.  It would be like inferring values to a hammer.  We IMO should separate the tool from the carpenter.  If you doubt the anti sociological message in the Promise subject it to a beta test.   SI is not alone in the escape from sociology.  But CWM is insistent on unease.  Do you find any reference to victory, glory, ease or pleasure.  Can you say Puritan ethic in new collars and cuffs.   Or you could look at the posts on this list. Perhaps the most noticeable escape from sociology takes place in the sociology classroom. Del