Introduction
Sociology is one of the subjects or courses offered by diverse universities all over the world, proving only of its importance. It is also evident that different experts propose using sociology in solving some of the most pressing concerns of today’s world; such as, war, criminality, poverty, and other social problems. Hence, it is necessary to understand why this subject is very important. In order to come-up with such an understanding, the varying definitions and significance of sociology must be known first.
The Many Definitions of Sociology
Sociology has found diverse applications in the world and the diversity of its applications has somehow made it more complex to define or understand what sociology is. Accordingly, Caron (2016) explained that there can be a one-liner definition for sociology. In this one liner definition, sociology is pertained to as a branch of science; particularly, social science. The reason for this is that sociology is pertained to as “systematic study” that aims to understand human actions and events based from a given context (Caron, 2016, p.3). It is systematic because it requires a certain process and considerations in understanding human actions. In other words, unlike normal or usual interpretations of human actions, sociology follows certain methods and guidelines in understanding them. This method might include perceiving human affairs within the context of culture, race, religion, political environment, natural environment, the prevailing political ideologies, etc. This is the main reason why Caron (2016) gives the observation that sociology is an “interdisciplinary discipline” (Caron, 2016, p. 4).
Nevertheless, as Caron (2016) explained, the one-liner definition does not fully capture the essence of sociology. In a more complete and accurate definition of sociology, it is revealed that sociology is intertwined with diverse fields of studies as well. The reason for these intertwines is that sociology is about understanding human relations and how these relations result to the observed interactions within and across societies. What this definition basically means is that sociology is present in anything that has something to do with humans – while humans are present in this world, sociology will always be present as well.
The aforementioned definition of sociology suggests that sociology aims to understand all human affairs. For example, politics is intertwined with sociology because political decisions affect human interactions and vice versa. The government can make decisions or legislations that would affect directly or indirectly human interactions. Government could shape the identity of individuals and individuals can affect government through collective actions, such us civil wars or the simple act of voting. The subject of citizenship, for example, merges politics and sociology. Citizenship provides people with certain rights, privileges, and status which affect human interactions. Due to the fact that sociology is intertwined with politics, it is not hard to perceive how it can also be intertwined with history.
It should be noted that local and international relations and their associated historical events are topics and history. While history tries to document such events, sociology tries to explain their occurrences or why and how they came about, as well as their implications to the current and future times. In other words, interpreting historical facts is more of a sociological task than a historical one. For example, it was discussed in the lectures that politics has allowed people to form groups. The formation of these groups resulted to two things – the inclusion and the exclusion of individuals within and without the groups, respectively. The inclusion provided grounds for unity while the exclusion provided grounds for conflicts. The interaction within and across these groups are the causes of major world events; such as, when one group tries to help or annihilate another group due to differences in ideologies, culture, etc. All the interactions for such events are studied in sociology.
Interestingly, sociology is not only interested on events and interactions that took place in the past. Perhaps, one noble causes of sociology is to influence the present and the future. Sociology does this by identifying patterns for human actions based from past and present events. Pattern refers to the behaviors and responses of people to certain stimulus in their environment. Such stimuli could include philosophical perspectives, actions done by other people, new legislations, change in political leadership, and natural environmental changes. Since sociology could influence the present and the future, it can be rightly inferred that it has practical or real world applications.
In line with sociology’s intent to identify patterns of human actions and interactions, is its intent to understand the human psychology. This makes sociology intertwined with the field of psychology and other behavioral sciences. For example, sociology studies the human language and how language influence the people’s way of thinking. This is made possible because language affects a person or a group of individual’s perception of reality.
Sociology is also intertwined with environmental sciences. One of the most noted topics in sociology is the relationship of man to his environment. Sociology teaches that man is a product of his environment. It is the environment that shapes the culture, and sometimes the religion of people. For example, festivities are determined, partly, by the dominant livelihood of the people. The livelihood of the people, on the other hand, is largely dependent on the environmental resources.
Why is Sociology Important?
The list of other fields of studies that are intertwined with sociology could go on forever; however, the most important thing to observe about this field of study is that as long as humans are involved, sociology will always be present. Hence, one needs to ask, why considerable amount of time and resources are devoted to sociology. Being able to understand this question sheds more light on the definition of sociology.
Accordingly, sociology is being studied because of its power, not only to understand human affairs, but also to influence. In other words, sociology could influence the course of history. Caron (2016) notes that the world is complex place when one views it from a non-sociological way. This complexity is due to the diverse conflicting events that occur throughout human history. Wars and international relations are but few of these complexities. Add to these the complexities that industrialization, urbanization, and the diverse social changes that take place within and across nations.
Such complexities, however, can be made much simpler if they are viewed from the sociological perspective. This means that sociology also aims to simplify what seem to be complex human relations and actions. This is the reason sociology has sociological models to which experts may turn to, in order to understand certain sociological phenomena or events. It is to such models that sociologists and social workers turn to in conducting their respective work.
In other words, sociology has produced guidelines for the proper planning and conduct of programs and developments that aim to help human civilizations. Through sociology, human conflicts can be mitigated and avoided. Sound and effective response and help to groups of people and individuals can be done. Sociology, in sense, help facilitate efficient and good interactions among human beings. Sociology could help build a better world for the present and future.
This role of sociology can be best understood on the works of sociologists and social workers who could instigate social changes across communities. They are able to empower lay people in achieving great things. They allow people who are immersed in diverse problems to rise above themselves and become better, more equipped individuals. Without sociology, people will always be subjective in judging other groups of people or individuals. This subjectivity breeds bias, and bias leads to wars and many other catastrophic events that have plagued the entire human civilizations. Bias makes the world an unhealthy place to live in and sociology counters its effects by allowing people to make intelligent and sound judgment on the events that happen around them.
Not only does sociology help solve social problems; it also has an effect on the individual or the microcosm of the society. For example, sociology deals with understanding the problems with suicide, and other similar problems. These problems which may be perceived as personal at first are solved by sociology by bringing them out of the society so that social help can be provided. While the problem might have been rooted to personal feelings and dispositions, its solution lies on the collective efforts of the individuals in the society.
Sociology has also equipped people to become more educated and critical in their environment. For example, Wright Mills has suggested the use of Sociological Imagination in viewing problems from the sociological perspective. Note that through the use of sociological imagination people become more aware of their relationship to the wider society. It helps people to understand that the diverse social problems are not necessarily caused by individual mistakes, but they can be solved by collective and concerted efforts of the individuals within the society (Mills, 1959).
This conception is related to Caron’s (2016) theory of the social web, wherein people are perceived to be associated with each other at certain degrees. This connection among individuals necessitates concerted and united efforts in solving social problems. Basically, sociology helps individuals deviate from what Caron (2016) calls the “Habitus” or the unaware actions that we do in our day-to-day lives that adversely affect the entire society by helping people become more aware of their intrinsic role in the web of human relationships (Caron, 2016, p. 11).
Conclusion
Throughout human history, there have been diverse efforts to address social problems. Nevertheless, the same history shows that such efforts have been ineffective due to the continuous proliferation and worsening of social problems. Fortunately, there came sociology - a branch of science that provides a systematic approach to understanding human interactions. Since its conception, sociology has been able to create models and guidelines to better understand the interactions of humans with fellow humans and their environment. This understanding has empowered people to solve social issues – even the issues from other fields of studies such as environmental science, politics, etc.
Because sociology focuses on human interactions, it has become greatly intertwined with diverse fields of studies. This intertwines makes sociology indispensible if humans will want to continue striving to build a better world. Sociology echoes through all human endeavors to make the world a better place to live in. With current pressing concerns in the environment - both natural and political – it is clear that sociology would be an essential part of the solution making process.
References
Caron, C. (2016). Into Sociology. Toronto: Nelson.
Wills, C.W. (1959). The Sociological Imagination. Oxford: Oxford University Press
