Spencer is often criticized by many (if not most of) today’s sociologists because his libertarian morals influenced many of the conservative ideas he developed. Could some of these critics, in turn be criticized for letting their liberal morals influence social science?
What will be an ideal response?
Today, progressive ideals are dominant across not just sociology, but most social science; arguments can be made that they do influence and do not influence supposedly objective research and theory. However, they do likely influence what research/theory is pursued and the ways that research/theory is applied to benefit (or further the evolution of) humankind
You might also like to view...
Which of the following best illustrates the application of the sociological imagination?
a. Divorce is caused by individual factors such as adultery. b. The problem of divorce can be resolved through individuals undergoing marital counseling. c. Divorce is widespread because the laws have made getting a divorce so easy. d. Divorce has been influenced by social trends such as the increasing availability of jobs, which allows women to support themselves.
The structural-functional approach and the social-conflict approach both represent which type of analysis of the family?
a. micro-level b. macro-level c. liberal d. conservative
According to Jean Piaget, at what stage does a child learn to use language and symbolic thinking to understand the world?
A. Formal symbolism B. Concrete operational C. Preoperational D. Assimilation
In sociology, a(n) ________ is defined as a set of statements that seeks to explain problems, actions, or behavior.
A. survey B. hypothesis C. theory D. ideal type