JMG 211

GEOGRAFI MANUSIA

(SIDANG AKADEMIK 2013/2014)

SOCIOLOGY THEORY

By
xxxx

Pusat Pengajian Pendidikan Jarak Jauh

11800 Universiti Sains Malaysia
xxx@usm.my @ 04-6533934

DECEMBER 2014

CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITION

2.0 THE EVALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL THEORY CONCEPT

3.0 LAW OF THREE STAGES

3.1 Theological Stage
3.2 Metaphysical Stage

3.3 Scientific Stage

4.0 CONCLUSION

REFERENCES

1.0 INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITION

Social theories are frameworks of empirical evidence used to study and interpret social
phenomena (Wikipedia 2015). A tool used by social scientists understanding sociality of
human races to historical debates over the most valid and reliable. Certain social theories
attempt to remain strictly scientific, descriptive, and objective cause for certain rule to ensure
reliability of normal phenomena in society.
Theory is a system of generalized statements or propositions about phenomena. However,
there are two additional features that, together, distinguish scientific theories from other idea
systems, such as those found in religion or philosophy. A sociologists seek to develop or
refine general statements about some aspect of social life. Abstract proposition that can be
tested in any society once the key concepts making up the theory, modern and religion,
are defined and observable measures are specified. Social theory as a distinct discipline
emerged in the 20th century and was largely equated with an attitude of critical thinking,
based on rationality, logic and objectivity, and the desire for knowledge through a posterior
methods of discovery, rather than a priori methods of tradition.

A difference between sociological theories and those found in other scientific disciplines
stems from the nature of their respective subjects. Societies are always in the process of
change, while the changes themselves can be spurred by any number of causes, including
internal conflicts, wars with other countries, scientific or technological advances, or through
the expansion of economic markets that in turn spreads foreign cultures and goods. As a
result, it is more difficult to fashion universal laws to explain societal dynamics. Moreover,
we must also bear in mind that humans, unlike most other animals or naturally occurring
elements in the physical world, are motivated to act by a complex array of social and
psychological forces.

Sociological theories share certain characteristics with theories developed in other

branches of science. However, there are significant differences between social and other
scientific theories as well. First, sociological theories tend to be more evaluative and critical
than theories in the natural sciences. Sociological theories are often rooted in implicit moral
assumptions, which contrast with traditional notions of scientific objectivity. In other words,
it is often supposed that the pursuit of scientific knowledge should be free from value
judgments or moral assessments; that is, the first and foremost concern of science is to
uncover what is, not what ought to be. Indeed, such objectivity is often cast as a defining
feature of science, one that separates it from other forms of knowledge based on tradition,
religion, or philosophy. While some sociologists adopt this model of scientific inquiry, others
tend to be interested not only in an objective understanding of the workings of society but
also in realizing a more just or equitable social order. The work of many theorists is shaped in
important respects by their own moral sensibilities regarding the condition of modern
societies and what the future may bring. Thus, sociological theorizing at times falls short of
the ideal science practiced more closely (though still imperfectly) by hard sciences like
physics, biology, or chemistry.

Sociological theories should be used as guidelines for evaluation, helping us to understand

the impact of social interventions and to focus on the important influencing factors. As an
example for the use of sociological theory for evaluation, this paper will present a concept for
ex-post-evaluations of political programs and projects, developed by Reinhard Stockmann in
the early 90s (Stockmann 1997). Originally used for vocational training projects in the
framework of development aid programmes, it has been proved as a useful tool in several
countries in four of the five continents on earth and successfully adapted to different other

topics. Among others, this evaluation concept has been applied for evaluating environmental
communication programmes in the Federal Republic of Germany (Stockmann et al. 2001;
Meyer 2002a, b).

These two aspects of sociological theory are responsible, in part, for the form in which
much sociological theory is written. While some theorists construct formal propositions or
laws to explain and predict social events and individual actions, more often theories are
developed through story like narratives. Thus, few of the original readings included in this
volume contain explicitly stated propositions. One of the intellectual challenges you will face
in studying the selections is to uncover the general propositions that are embedded in the
texts.
2.0 THE EVALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL THEORY CONCEPT
Theory-driven evaluations (Chen & Rossi 1980) have two main advantages: on one
hand, theories guide the evaluation process by telling evaluators which questions should be
asked, which causal linkages should be identified, and how the findings can be ordered and
classified. On the other hand, evaluation results help social scientists to clear cut common
research questions, to test thesis logically derived from basic theories, and to verify general
formulated classification systems for its usability. Stockmans evaluation concept, as
mentioned before, is based on three interrelated theoretical models. These models are widely
recognised and acknowledged not only in sociology but also in various other disciplines of
social sciences and its theoretical assumptions are proved by an impressive amount of
empirical research.
The evaluation framework presented here is steady in its basic elements, but always
changing in its specific details not only because of the need for adaptation to a broad range of
evaluation topics. Comte believed that the new scientific industrial society will become the

society of all mankind. The positive or scientific stage is the ultimate stage in a series of
successive transformations the human race goes through and each stage is superior to the
previous one. The new system is built upon the destruction of the old, and with evolution
comes progress and the emancipation of the human mind. Thus, Comte theory of progress
often referred to as the un-linear theory of evolution involved development of the individual
mind, the human mind and the human society in an ultimate state of positivism. Comte stated
that human history is the history of a simple people because the progress of the human mind
gives unity to the entire history of society.

Comte developed social physics, or what in 1822 he called sociology, to combat the
negative philosophies which in his view pervaded French society. The use of the term social
physics made it clear that Comte sought to model sociology after the hard sciences. This new
science (sociology) in Comte view would ultimately become the dominant science. The new
science of society (sociology) was concerned with both social statics and social dynamics.
Both involved the search for laws of social life, Comte felt that social dynamics was more
important than social statics.

3.0 LAW OF THREE STAGES

Comte considered the law of three stages based on the belief of social evolution to
be important societies develops from primitive religion to more advanced philosophical
idealism to modern scientific mentalities.

3.1 Theological Stage: This stage is characterized by the fact that feeling and imagination
dominate in mans search for the nature, causes and end of things. Explanations take the form
of myths concerning spirits and supernatural beings. In this stage, Comte discussed three

levels of development. In the theological stage, social organization is predominantly of a

military nature. It is military power which provides the basis of social stability and conquest
was common. Once society experienced the philosophical tendencies leading to monotheism,
society moved to the second stage of critical thought which is transitional.

3.2 Metaphysical Stage: In this stage men pursue meaning and explanation of the world in
terms of essences, ideals, forms in short, in conceptions of some ultimate reality. The
institutional changes correlated with this stage of thought are chiefly. The development of
defensive militarism and the extension of established law which lays down a move secure
basis for cooperation. This stage is dominated by the military, churchmen and lawyer, a stage
in which mind presupposes abstract forces.

3.3 Scientific Stage: The nineteenth century marked the beginning of the positive stage in
which observation predominates over imagination and all theoretical concepts become
positive. This stage is dominated by industrial administrators and scientists. The nature of
human mind has given up the vain search for Absolute notions and origins but seeks to
establish scientific principles governing phenomena.

Corresponding to the three stages of mental progress there are three stages of society.
The theological and metaphysical stages are dominated by military values; however, the
former is characterized by conquest and the latter by Defence. The former is characterized by
the predominance of theological thinking and military activity.

Priests were endowed with intellectual and spiritual power while the military
exercised temporal authority. In the scientific industrial society, priest was replaced by

scientists who represent the new moral and intellectual power. With the growth of scientific
thinking, the industrialists dominated the major activities of society.

4.0 CONCLUSION
In summary, the life-course of a project can be roughly divided into three primary
phases: in donor-supported planning and implementation phases during the period of
assistance, and lastly in the period following completion of donor, when the project is
continued under the exclusive direction of the implementation agency.
The problem for the new social sciences which began to emerge in the early to midnineteenth century was therefore to propose a proper object of study and a means of studying
this which was not based on ideas about human nature

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