The Significance and Foundation of the Social Sciences

Flashcard set for reviewing key concepts, definitions, scholars, theories, and methodologies in Social Science, History, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Demography, Anthropology, Geography, and Linguistics.

How is Social Science defined in the lecture notes?

The scientific study of social, cultural, psychological, economic, and political forces that guide individuals in their actions.

When did the history of the social sciences begin?

In the Age of Enlightenment after 1650.

Who coined the term "science sociale" and what other phrase did he use to describe the field?

Auguste Comte coined the term (taken from the ideas of Charles Fourier) and also referred to the field as "social physics."

How did Anthony Giddens (1990) define society?

As "a system of interrelationships which connects individuals together."

How did Marvin Harris (1983) define society?

As a "common habitat" or environment within which members of a society depend on one another for survival and well-being.

How do the Humanities and Social Sciences differ in methodology?

Social Science deals with a more scientific approach using empirical, rational, and objective methodologies (such as validity and reliability tests), whereas Humanities comprise the application of an interpretative methodology focused on philosophy and heritage.

According to historian E.H. Carr, into what two categories can history be defined?

History as a process and history as a social science.

What is Zeus Salazar's definition of history ("kasaysayan")?

"Ang kasaysayan ay mga salaysay na may saysay sa sinasalaysay ang salinlahi" (History consists of meaningful narratives told to a generation).

What is the core idea of "Pantayong Pananaw" in historiography?

"From us, for us" (Mula sa atin, para sa atin); Philippine history is written from the Filipino point of view, intended for Filipinos.

How do "Pangkaming Pananaw" and "Pansilang Pananaw" differ?

Pangkaming Pananaw is written from a Filipino perspective for foreigners ("From us, for them"), whereas Pansilang Pananaw is written from a foreign perspective for foreigners ("From them, for them").

What is the difference between Internal Criticism (Panloob na Kritisismo) and External Criticism (Panlabas na Kritisismo)?

Internal criticism examines the author's purpose, content, and potential biases, whereas external criticism evaluates the document's authenticity, physical form, appearance, and structural characteristics.

According to historian Luisa Camagay, when does Historical Revision occur?

Historical revision occurs when new evidence is discovered, new interpretations emerge, and new facts are established.

How do Historical Distortion and Historical Denialism differ?

Historical distortion intentionally alters or twists facts to construct a narrative serving personal interests, while historical denialism completely erases a period of history to pretend an event never occurred.

What mathematical relationship expresses the core economic problem of scarcity?

$$\text{Limited resources} + \text{Unlimited wants} = \text{Need to choose}$$

What are the three principal types of factors of production?

Labor, Natural Resources, and Capital.

What key concept forms the basis of Classical Economic Theory according to Adam Smith and David Ricardo?

The "invisible hand," which posits that when individuals pursue self-interest in free, self-regulating markets with minimal government interference, the overall economy grows.

What is the primary critique of capitalism in Marxist Economics?

Capitalism exploits workers by paying them less than the value created by their labor, converting the extra value into profit for business owners, which creates class conflict and inequality.

What economic school of thought arose in the 1940s under Milton Friedman as a counterpoint to Keynesian economics?

Monetarism, which emphasizes managing a stable money supply to control inflation rather than relying on government intervention.

How does Alan Bryman (2001) define the inductive method in political science?

As a relationship between theory and research where theory is generated out of research findings, beginning with observations and building theory at the end.

What are the three classifications of authority in political science?

Traditional, Charismatic, and Legal-Rational authority.

How did Guibernau (1999) define a nation?

A human group conscious of forming a community, sharing a common culture, attached to a clearly demarcated territory, having a common past and project for the future, and claiming the right to rule itself.

How did Murray Clark Havens (1981) define citizenship?

A binding legal relationship between an individual and a state, where membership guarantees specific rights while imposing corresponding civic duties.

How do Fascism and Communism differ regarding political alignment and racial focus?

Fascism is an extremely rightist single-party totalitarian dictatorship that is intensely nationalist, racialist, militarist, and imperialist; Communism is an extremely leftist totalitarian dictatorship that is nationalist, militarist, and imperialist, but not necessarily racialist, emphasizing the superiority of the Proletariat.

When and by whom was the term "sociology" coined?

By Auguste Comte in 1838, derived from the Latin "socius" (companion, associate) and the Greek "logia" (study of, speech).

How do Conflict Theory and Structural Functionalism contrast in their view of society?

Conflict Theory views society as a competition among individuals for limited resources marked by inherent inequalities, whereas Structural Functionalism views society as a complex system of institutions working together to meet social needs.

What are the three levels of sociological analysis described in the notes?

Micro-Sociology, Meso-Sociology (including network analysis), and Macro-Sociology.

What is the demographic distinction between fertility and fecundity?

Fertility refers to the actual ability of females to produce healthy offspring in abundance, whereas fecundity refers to the potential reproductive capacity of a female.

What is the core distinction between Cultural Anthropology and Social Anthropology?

Cultural anthropology is concerned with the habits, customs, and cultural variations of groups, whereas social anthropology focuses on how human beings associate and form groups.

How do Environmental Determinism and Possibilism differ in Geography?

Environmental Determinism states that the physical environment dictates human behavior and societal development, whereas Possibilism holds that the environment merely offers possibilities and humans actively choose options based on culture, technology, and history.

What is Noam Chomsky's theory of Generative Grammar?

A theory proposing that human language is an innate biological capacity featuring Universal Grammar (UG) and a brain-based Language Acquisition Device (LAD) that enables children to deduce grammatical rules.

What is the main premise of Edward Sapir's Ethnolinguistic / Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis?

That a relationship exists between the structure of a language and the way its speakers perceive, categorize, and think about the world.

How do Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary approaches differ in understanding society?

Interdisciplinary approaches combine methods and findings across different academic fields, while Transdisciplinary approaches go beyond academic disciplines by integrating community voices and lived experiences to create real-world solutions.