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FAQs on Positivism and its Critique - Sociology Optional for UPSC (Notes)
| 1. What is positivism and how does it influence social sciences? |  |
Ans. Positivism is a philosophical theory that asserts that knowledge is primarily derived from empirical evidence and observable phenomena. It emphasizes the use of scientific methods to study social phenomena, advocating for a systematic and objective approach to understanding society. This has significantly influenced social sciences, leading to the development of quantitative research methods and the belief that social laws can be discovered similar to natural sciences.
| 2. Who are the key figures associated with positivism? | |
Ans. Key figures associated with positivism include Auguste Comte, who is often regarded as the father of positivism, and later philosophers like John Stuart Mill and Émile Durkheim. Comte introduced the idea of a hierarchy of sciences and stressed the importance of sociology as a distinct discipline based on positivist principles.
| 3. What are the main critiques of positivism? | |
Ans. Critics of positivism argue that it overly simplifies complex social phenomena by relying solely on quantitative measures and ignores the subjective aspects of human experience. Notable critiques come from interpretivist scholars, who emphasize the importance of understanding social context, meaning, and the role of human agency in shaping social reality. They argue that the social world cannot be studied in the same way as the natural world.
| 4. How does positivism relate to methodologies in research? | |
Ans. Positivism is closely associated with quantitative research methodologies, which involve the collection and analysis of numerical data to identify patterns and causal relationships. This approach often includes experiments, surveys, and statistical analysis. Conversely, qualitative methodologies, which focus on understanding social phenomena through in-depth interviews and observations, are often seen as contrary to positivist principles.
| 5. In what ways has positivism evolved in contemporary social science discourse? | |
Ans. In contemporary social science, positivism has evolved to integrate various perspectives, including critical realism and post-positivism. While still emphasizing empirical evidence, these newer approaches acknowledge the limitations of strict positivism, advocating for a more pluralistic methodology that incorporates both quantitative and qualitative research to provide a more comprehensive understanding of social phenomena.
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