Sociological Theory Positivistic Interpretative And Critical Essay

Sociological Theory: Positivistic, Interpretative, And Critical Essay, Research Paper

Sociological Theory: Positivistic, Interpretative, and Critical

Comment on the three types of sociological theories, explain and argue, based

on your library or Internet research, which type of theory is the most

appropriate theory for sociology to adopt.

The three general types of sociological theory are positivistic, interpretive

and critical theory.In determining which theory is the most appropriate for

sociology to adopt,a basic understanding of each theory’s strengths and

weaknesses is necessary.In defining each of these theories, it is important to

determine the ontological basis orthe theory’s basis for determining what is

knowable; the epistemological basis or the theory’s relationship between the

knower and the knowable; and, finally, the methodological basis or the theory’s

method for gathering data and obtaining knowledge.

A.POSITIVISTIC

1.Ontology.

The positivistic theory is based on an ontology ofbeing a realist.The realistic

slant of positivism is also known as determinism.The positivist knows that a

reality is “out there” to be defined and categorized.The hard sciences from the

time of Newton and Decartes have traditionally relied on the positivistic

approach.The positivist hopes to be able to approximate “reality” in a detailed

generalization or theory on how reality operates.The theories of a positivist

generallytake the form of cause and effect laws describing the outside

reality.Robert Merton defined these theorems as “clear verifiable statements of

the relationships between specified variables.”

2.Epistemology.

Positivism relies onan objective epistemology.The observer remains distant and

does not interact with the observation or experiment.Values and any other

factors that might lead to bias are to be carefully removed so that the cold,

monological gaze of science can be used to analyze the data.The positivist is an

objectivist.

3.Methodology.

The methodology of positivism is experimental and manipulative. The approach is

the same as propounded in most junior high science classes:begin with a

hypothesis on how “reality” works, then gather data and test the data against

the hypothesis.The question propounded initially is tested against empirical

data gathered in the experiment under carefully controlled conditions.

B.INTERPRETIVE

1.Ontology.

The interpretivist ontology is relativism.The belief, unlike the positivist, is

that knowledge is relative to the observor.Reality is not something that exists

outside the observor, but rather is determined by the experiences, social

background and other factors of the observor.Because of this view sociological

law is not a constant, but a relationship between changing variables.

2.Epistemology.

The epistemology of interpretivism is the subjective.The inquirer in

interpretisim becomes part of an interaction or communication with the subject

of the inquiry.The findings are the result of the interaction between the

inquirer and the subject. Reality becomes a social construction.

3.Methodology.

The methodology ofinterpretivism can best be described as hermenutic or

dialectic.Hermenutics is the study of how to make interpretive inquiry.Dialectic

is reflective of the dialogue imagined in the subjective approach and the need

to test interpretive theory against human experience. Max Weber described the

methodology as “a science which aims at the interpretative understanding of

social conduct and thus at the explanation of its causes, its course, and its

effects.”

Through hermenutics, the raw data consists of description.The description is

made through the naturally symbolic use of language.The meaning of the language

is derived in part by the society from which it arises.Interpretive theory is

tested by referring back to human practice within the society.If the interaction

produces the anticipated result then the theory is corroborated and vice versa.

C.CRITICAL THEORY

1.Ontology.

Criticalrealism is the ontology of critical theory.Critical realism believes

that a reality exists “out there” and is not merely relative.However, reality

can never be fully comprehended or understood.Natural laws still control and

drive realityand to the extent possible should be understood.

2.Epistemology.

Critical theory is value oriented.Therefore, the critical theorist is subjective

to the extent that the inquiries are governed and conducted in the context ofthe

values expounded by the theorist.

3.Methodology.

Critical theory has a transformative methodology.The answers provided should be

on how we should live.The status quo is critiqued and attacked.Actions are

criticized because of the result they will bring.The transformation is brought

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