Dominant Approaches in Social Science

August Comte (1798-1857)

proposed the 3 stages of reason and the positivist approach

1. Theological

2. Philosophical / Metaphysical

3. Scientific

3 stages of reason

Theological

knowledge is based on assumptions in sacred texts

Philosophical / Metaphysical

critical / abstract thinking

Scientific

observation and experiment

Positivist Approach

August Comte - Proponent

he proposed that social realm should be understood using highly quantifiable methods

Empirical method

August Comte - proponent

positivist approach, launch the

Deductive Reasoning

when you take two true statements, or premises, to form a conclusion

Inductive Reasoning

reasoning that takes specific information and makes a broader generalization

Emile Durkheim ( 1858-1917)

everything in social realm could be quantifiably understood

Social Integration

the process by which newcomers are incorporated into a society. it differs from assimilation because integration does not require losing your unique cultural identity

Durkheim’s Four Types of Suicide

1. Anomic

2. Altruistic

3. Fatalistic

4. Egoistic

describes the person, not necessarily the act

Anomic

suicide due to the breakdown of social equilibrium; bankruptcy, loss of job, loss of family.

Altruistic

suicide results from the over integration of the individual into social proof; removing them self for the betterment of immediate family or immediate social group

Fatalistic

society sets an expectation that burdensome people should remove themselves

Egoistic

social isolation leads to a man to destroy himself

Pope 1976

Durkheim’s four types of suicide proposed after

Altruistic suicide

too much integration

Anomic suicide

not enough regulation

Fatalistic suicide

too much regulation

Egoistic suicide

not enough integration

Egoistic

due to emotional detachment (loners, friendless people, isolated individuals)

Anomic

due to normlessness (no apparent escape, no way to change situations)

Altruistic

due to a “ higher cause” or purpose (terrorism. kamikaze pilots, God’s call, etc.)

Fatalistic

due to a lack of hope (terminally ill people, etc.)

Post-positivism Approach

• also called postmodernism

• any social phenomenon is understood using a combination of logical reasoning and empirical observation