value freedom and commitment

Value freedom and commitment

• The issue of commitment ( commitment to your values in research) that Weber raised has remained at the centre of debates about the place of the sociologist's values in research.

• For example, which sociologist pamhave shied away from any value commitments.

• By contrast, which 3 groups of people have argued for a 'committed sociology' in which the sociologist spells out the i____ of their v___ to their research.

Value freedom and commitment

• The issue of commitment ( commitment to your values in research) that Weber raised has remained at the centre of debates about the place of the sociologist's values in research.

• For example, some modern positivists have shied away from any value commitments.

• By contrast, Marxists, interactionists and feminists have argued for a 'committed sociology' in which the sociologist spells out the importance of their values to their research.

Modern positivists

Unlike Durkheim and Comte, who were openly committed to what, by the mid 20th century positivists tended to argue that their own values were i____ to their research. There were two reasons for this. what are the reasons ?

Modern positivists

Unlike Durkheim and Comte, who were openly committed to re-shaping society in certain ways, by the mid 20th century positivists tended to argue that their own values were irrelevant to their research. There were two reasons for this:

1. the desire to appear scientific

2. the social position of sociology

Modern positivists .- The desire to appear scientific

• Science is concerned with matters of f____, not v___

• Therefore, sociologists should remain m___ n___ - their job is simply to establish what, not to j____ it.

• Critics argue that this reflected a desire to make sociology r____. Science has high p____ in m____ s____, so mimicking its ways would raise the s___. status and earn it respectability.

• This was particularly important in the early___th century, when sociology was just becoming what

Modern positivists .- The desire to appear scientific

• Science is concerned with matters of fact, not value

• Therefore, sociologists should remain morally neutral - their job is simply to establish the truth about people's behaviour, not to judge it.

• Critics argue that this reflected a desire to make sociology respectable. Science has high prestige in modern society, so mimicking its ways would raise the subject's status and earn it respectability.

• This was particularly important in the early 20th century, when sociology was just becoming established as an academic discipline.

Modern positivists .- the social positions of sociology - critique

• A_____ G____ (1975) argues that by the 1950s, American sociologists in particular had become mere whag

• Earlier in the century, sociology how was sociology like ?

• ‘However, by the 1950s, sociologists were no longer ‘what Instead they had become 'p____ t____' who hired themselves out to o____ such as business and the m____, to take on and solve their p____ for them.

• By doing this, they dropped their own v____ and made what Gouldner called ahat— an unspoken agreement not to c____ those in p____, but to keep their research s___ and n___-t___.

• Because they were simply hired hands, they saw their own v___ as i___. This is exactly the attitude that W___ was criticising when he said what

Modern positivists .- the social positions of sociology

• Alvin Gouldner (1975) argues that by the 1950s, American sociologists in particular had become mere 'spiritless technicians'.

• Earlier in the century, sociology had been a critical discipline, often challenging accepted authority.

• ‘However, by the 1950s, sociologists were no longer ‘problem makers' who defined their own research problems. Instead they had become 'problem takers' who hired themselves out to organisations such as business and the military, to take on and solve their problems for them.

• By doing this, they dropped their own values and made what Gouldner called a “gentleman’s promise” — an unspoken agreement not to criticise those in power, but to keep their research safe and non-threatening.

• Because they were simply hired hands, they saw their own values as irrelevant. This is exactly the attitude that Weber was criticising when he said that sociologists must take moral responsibility for the effects of their work.

• Overall, Gouldner criticises sociologists who tried to be “value-free” because he believed this actually meant serving the interests of who rather than being truly n___.

• Instead, Gouldner argued that sociologists should acknowledge their v___ and use them to challenge i____ and a___, keeping sociology critical rather than passive.

• So, unlike modern positivists, Gouldner thought sociology should embrace values to avoid becoming “spiritless” and controlled by others.

• Overall, Gouldner criticises sociologists who tried to be “value-free” because he believed this actually meant serving the interests of powerful institutions (like business, government, or the military) rather than being truly neutral.

• Instead, Gouldner argued that sociologists should acknowledge their values and use them to challenge inequality and authority, keeping sociology critical rather than passive.

• So, unlike modern positivists, Gouldner thought sociology should embrace values to avoid becoming “spiritless” and controlled by others.

Committed sociology

• By contrast with the positivists, some sociologists argue for a c____ sociology.

• For example, G____ Myrdal (1969) argues that sociologists should not only spell out their v___ as W___ recommends - they should also do what

• Committed sociologists who advocate this approach, such as Myrdal and Gouldner, argue that it is neither possible nor desirable to do what

Committed sociology

• By contrast with the positivists, some sociologists argue for a committed sociology.

• For example, Gunnar Myrdal (1969) argues that sociologists should not only spell out their values as Weber recommends - they should also openly 'take sides' by espousing the values and interests of particular individuals or groups.

• Committed sociologists who advocate this approach, such as Myrdal and Gouldner, argue that it is neither possible nor desirable to keep values out of research.

Committed sociology

In Gouldner's view, value-free sociology is:

1. impossible, why.?

2. undesirable why ?

Committed sociology

In Gouldner's view, value-free sociology is:

1. impossible, because either the sociologist's own values, or those of their paymasters, are bound to be reflected in their work

2. undesirable, since without values to guide research, sociologists are merely selling their services to the highest bidder.

whose side are we on ?

• If all sociology is influenced by v_____, this means the sociologist must i____ take s____.

• By not choosing a side, the sociologist is in fact taking the side of the more p___ against the less p____.

whose side are we on ?

• If all sociology is influenced by values, this means the sociologist must inevitably take sides.

• By not choosing a side, the sociologist is in fact taking the side of the more powerful against the less powerful.

whose side are we on ?

• The interactionist Howard Becker (1970) asks, what question ?

• He argues that what is always present in sociology?

• Traditionally, however, positivists and functionalists have tended to take the viewpoint of who

• sociologists should recognise that values are always present and so sociologists should consciously adopt what type of values ? rather than siding with 0____ groups, in order to reveal h___ p____ and give voice to those normally ignored

• what is an example of such a value:

• For example, by empathising with the m____ p___, we can show the h___ r___ of behaviour that the psychiatrist thinks of as irrational- The interactionist E____ G____ (1968) argues that to understand mental patients accurately, researchers must do what even if it means being b___ against psychiatrists..

• why does This emphasis on identifying and empathising with the powerless has clear links to the kinds of research methods favoured by interactionists?

whose side are we on ?

• The interactionist Howard Becker (1970) asks, 'Whose side are we on?' (the powerless or the powerful)

• He argues that values are always present in sociology.

• Traditionally, however, positivists and functionalists have tended to take the viewpoint of powerful groups - police, psychiatrists and so on.

• sociologists should recognise that values are always present and so sociologists should consciously adopt values that support or give voice to the powerless or underdogs (like criminals or mental patients) rather than siding with powerful groups, in order to reveal hidden perspectives and give voice to those normally ignored

• Example of such a value: Belief in social justice, such as advocating for fair treatment of mental patients, prisoners, or marginalized groups

• For example, by empathising with the mental patient, we can show the hidden rationality of behaviour that the psychiatrist thinks of as irrational- The interactionist Erving Goffman (1968) argues that to understand mental patients accurately, researchers must empathise with them and adopt their perspective, even if it means being biased against psychiatrists..

• This emphasis on identifying and empathising with the powerless has clear links to the kinds of research methods favoured by interactionists. They have a strong preference for qualitative methods such as participant observation, which they see as revealing the meanings of these 'outsiders'

whose side are we on ? ✘

• However, Gouldner criticises Becker for taking a romantic and sentimental approach to disadvantaged groups.

• He accuses Becker of being concerned only with those who are 'on their backs' - the misunderstood, negatively labelled, exotic specimens of deviant behaviour.

• Instead, Gouldner adopts a Marxist perspective. He argues that sociologists should take the side of those who are 'fighting back' - the political radicals struggling to change society.

• Sociology should not confine itself to describing the viewpoint of the underdog. It should be committed to ending their oppression by unmasking the ways in which the powerful maintain their position.

whose side are we on ? ✘

• However, Gouldner criticises Becker for taking a r____ and s____ approach to d____ groups.

• He accuses Becker of being concerned only with who

• Instead, Gouldner adopts a M___ perspective. He argues that sociologists should take the side of who?

• Sociology should not confine itself to describing the viewpoint of the u___. It should be committed to what

Funding and careers

why would a sociologists work likely embody the values and interests of their paymasters and not their own ?

Funding and careers

Thus the sociologist's work is likely to embody the values and interests of their paymasters as:

• Most sociological research is funded by someone other than sociologists themselves. Funding sources include government departments, businesses and voluntary organisations.

• Often, the body that pays for the research controls the direction it takes and the kinds of questions it asks - and fails to ask.

• Sometimes, funding bodies may block publication of the research if its findings prove unacceptable.

Funding and careers

• Some sociologists pick topics or interpret findings mainly for what reasons ? the study may reflect p____ a____ or p____ t___ rather than the t___, reducing the o____, r____, and overall v___ of the research.

• why would some sociologists censor themselves?

• Sociologists in university departments are also likely to be under p___ to p___ research, perhaps regardless of its q___ or u___.

• For Gouldner, all research is inevitably influenced by v___ - whether it is the values of the s____, or those of the f___ b___ that pays for the r___.

Funding and careers

• Some sociologists pick topics or interpret findings mainly to advance their careers, the study may reflect personal ambition or popular trends rather than the truth, reducing the objectivity, reliability, and overall validity of the research.

  Some may censor themselves for fear that being too outspoken will harm their career prospects or even cost them their job.

• Sociologists in university departments are also likely to be under pressure to publish research, perhaps regardless of its quality or usefulness.

• For Gouldner, all research is inevitably influenced by values - whether it is the values of the sociologist, or those of the funding body that pays for the research.

perspectives and methods

Different sociological perspectives can be seen as embodying different an____ and v___ about how society is or should be. For example:

1. Feminism sees society as based on g____ i____ and promotes the r___ of w___.

2. Functionalism sees society as h____ and espouses c___ values that favour the s___ qfff.

3. Marxism sees society as c____-r___ and strives for a c___ society.

• These assumptions and values influence what that sociologists of different perspectives choose to research, the concepts they develop and the conclusions they reach.

• For example, functionalists have concluded that inequality is beneficial for society, whereas Marxists conclude that it produces exploitation of the poor by the rich.

perspectives and methods

Different sociological perspectives can be seen as embodying different assumptions and values about how society is or should be. For example:

1. Feminism sees society as based on gender inequality and promotes the rights of women.

2. Functionalism sees society as harmonious and espouses conservative values that favour the status quo.

3. Marxism sees society as conflict-ridden and strives for a classless society.

• These assumptions and values influence the topics that sociologists of different perspectives choose to research, the concepts they develop and the conclusions they reach.

• For example, functionalists have concluded that inequality is beneficial for society, whereas Marxists conclude that it produces exploitation of the poor by the rich.

perspectives and methods

• Similarly, there is a link between what 2 things

• For example, interactionists' preference for q____ m___ fits with their desire to empathise with the u____, since such methods give them access to the a___ m___.

• Likewise, the functionalist and positivist tendency to do what fits with their uncritical acceptance of o___ s____ produced by government.

• Thus both interactionists and functionalists can be accused of selecting methods that produce facts that reflect their values and outlook.

perspectives and methods

• Similarly, there is a link between sociologists' methods and their value-stance

• For example, interactionists' preference for qualitative methods fits with their desire to empathise with the underdog, since such methods give them access to the actor's meanings.

• Likewise, the functionalist and positivist tendency to take the side of the 'establishment' and the viewpoint of those in authority fits with their uncritical acceptance of official statistics produced by government.

• Thus both interactionists and functionalists can be accused of selecting methods that produce facts that reflect their values and outlook.

Objectivity and relativism

• If all perspectives involve values, are their findings just a reflection of their values, rather than a true picture of society? If so, there would be no way of deciding which what

One version of this idea is known as relativism. Relativism argues that:

1. Different g____, c____ and individuals - including s____ - have different views as to what is true.
   Each sees the world in their o__ w____, through their own perspectives, concepts, values and interests.

2. There is no independent way of ahat

• However, relativism goes much further. It argues that there is no what - just m___ t___ .

• What you believe is true, is true - for y___. What I believe is true, is true - but only for m___. So if you believe the earth is round, while I think it is flat, there is no way of saying who is right.

Objectivity and relativism

• If all perspectives involve values, are their findings just a reflection of their values, rather than a true picture of society? If so, there would be no way of deciding which of these different versions of reality - if any - was true

• One version of this idea is known as relativism. Relativism argues that:

  
  

1. Different groups, cultures and individuals - including sociologists - have different views as to what is true.
   Each sees the world in their own way, through their own perspectives, concepts, values and interests.

2. There is no independent way of judging whether any view is truer than any other.

• However, relativism goes much further. It argues that there is no absolute or objective truth - just multiple truths .

• What you believe is true, is true - for you. What I believe is true, is true - but only for me. So if you believe the earth is round, while I think it is flat, there is no way of saying who is right.

Relativism and postmodernism

• Postmodernists take a r____ view, arguing that no perspective has special a___ to the t___, since all knowledge is shaped by v___ and a____

• Any perspective that claims to have the truth, such as M____, is just a meta-narrative or 'big story'.

• While relativism questions objective t___, in practice sociologists can still observe r___-w___ f___—like w___ doing more h___ or e___ b___ affecting life chances—which can be used to assess theories.

• This shows that while values influence p___, sociology cannot be completely value-free, because researchers’ interpretations and choices are always shaped by v___.

Relativism and postmodernism

• Postmodernists take a relativist view, arguing that no perspective has special access to the truth, since all knowledge is shaped by values and assumptions.

• Any perspective that claims to have the truth, such as Marxism, is just a meta-narrative or 'big story'.

• While relativism questions objective truth, in practice sociologists can still observe real-world facts—like women doing more housework or ethnic background affecting life chances—which can be used to assess theories.

• This shows that while values influence perspective, sociology cannot be completely value-free, because researchers’ interpretations and choices are always shaped by values.