Human Relation -- A Social Science Perspective
Fundamental differences between the social sciences and the natural sciences
Science is commonly taken to be an attempt at predicting, understanding, and explaining our world, using distinctive modes of analysis for developing theories. However, defining a collection of attributes that distinguish sciences from religion, fortune telling, astrology and other such disciplines (not categorized under sciences), which also aim at understanding and explaining our world, is not a simple task (Okasha, 2002). Wittgenstein maintained, in the context of games, that no fixed group of features exists for defining a "game" -- one can, however, find a loose collection of common features that most games possess; Okasha feels that sciences can also be explained in a similar manner. On the basis of some common features among sciences, two branches of science -- social and natural sciences -- will be contrasted in this paper (Donmez & Domigall, 2011).
Social sciences
The field of social science focuses on human society, societal institutions, social groups, social relationships among people, and cultural and material goods as manifestations of human coexistence. Different branches of study in social sciences all address the above subjects (Bayer, 1992).
The scientific study of human society and societal relationships is a much younger discipline as compared to natural sciences. Despite scholars' interest in societal interactions for several centuries, social interactions only began being studied scientifically in the nineteenth century, which saw the publication of sociological works such as Auguste Comte's Systeme de politique positive and Emile Durkheim's Suicide; Comte's work laid the foundation for a positivist social science approach (Donmez & Domigall, 2011).
Natural sciences
Natural sciences have been defined by Ledoux (2002, p. 34) as branches of study that exclusively examine natural events (or in other words, natural dependent and independent variables) by the use of scientific methodology. Natural sciences typically, but not exclusively, employs scientific methodology, but this isn't the key feature differentiating social science from it; rather, the distinguishing aspect is the emphasis on natural phenomena. Natural sciences represent branches of learning that explore natural, physical processes or objects through the use of scientific methodology (Ossenbrink & Stephan, 2013).
Buchel (1992) states that the natural science field emerged from Renaissance thinkers' revolutionized views about the world; these intellectuals called into question prior explanations regarding the world, seeking new, systematic modes of enquiry. Galileo, Copernicus and other pioneers of the Renaissance period's scientific revolution became absorbed with issues from the fields of physics, astronomy, etc. Natural sciences stemmed from a curiosity regarding the world around us, in addition to the attempt to alter nature to mankind's advantage (i.e., for meeting human needs), which couldn't, earlier, be freely pursued (Buchel, 1992).
Describe the three social science disciplines and the commonalities and differences among them
Sociology
Sociology deals with studying social life, as well as human activities' societal causes and effects. C. Wright Mills states, in brief, that sociology seeks public issues which are at the root of private problems. The difference between sociology and popular ideas pertaining to human behavior is that the former utilizes scientific modes of investigation systematically, and challenges numerous undisputed and common sense perceptions of the social world surrounding us. Sociological thinking entails looking more closely at the social world; this makes us realize that, quite often, things aren't how they appear. For instance, sociologists perceive unemployment as an interaction of social, economic and political influences that decide how many jobs are created and who can access them, rather than as the issue of an individual unable to get a job.
Anthropology
Anthropology represents a general, all-inclusive analysis of humans. The field of anthropology is often confused with two of the disciplines covered under it, namely, physical anthropology (or the study of bones) and archaeology (digging up ancient sites). Anthropology actually encompasses both the above sub-disciplines, in addition to cultural anthropology, which denotes the study of living cultures (ranging from Africa's gatherers and hunters, to USA's corporations). Cultural anthropologists actually dwell on a stretch of time in the cultural setting they intend to explore, to gain an in-depth perspective. The sphere of physical anthropology doesn't merely involve studying bones - mankind's physical evolution is reconstructed here, and professionals in the field study human physical adaptations, as well as primates (humans, monkeys, apes, and prosimians). The main reason behind studying all this is to gain an insight on human beings (Gustavus Adolphus College, 2015).
Political Science
Political science refers to the branch of knowledge that studies power and politics from national, global, and comparative viewpoints. It encompasses understanding political concepts, philosophies, systems, policies, institutions, and activities, in addition...
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