Sociology

According to Trigg (2001), the division of science that deals with the study of humanity and the relationship between individuals and the community is referred to as social science. It mainly focuses on the human features and their relation to the world. Social science has been in existence since the ancient times of Plato and Aristotle. It puts more emphasis on systematic and experimentation procedures used. The procedures used in social sciences are referred to as soft sciences because they are qualitative and based on individual interpretation.

Features of social science include things like arts and humanities. Social science is basically composed of sociology, psychology, anthropology, sociobiology, economics, political science and law, language, geography and history. All these studies are involved with the interaction of human being and the society. Most of these studies deal with people as well as the community thereby qualifying as social sciences. They are regarded as social because they look at the intentional phenomena and therefore they must be recognized in terms of their meanings. These sciences are real sciences they generate organized theories to clarify the underlying causes of interaction between different phenomena. They are analytical too they develop frameworks for reasoning and explaining facts (Kuper and Kuper, 1985).

The various divides that exist within the social science include geographical divides publication and language difference, difference in capability, science and society divides. Other    disciplines that is Education, Law, Demography, Geography, Economics, Humanities, Politics, Management, Media, Policy Studies, Psychology, sociology and Social Welfare to name just but a few, that the social science is concerned with, are so wide that some of the staffs in these areas do not consider them a science. Social science have experiential base. In social sciences, experience is based straight on individual intuition of things which heshe already knows on interests which are inseparable to the real life (Riley, 1994).

Social sciences are conceptual in that they have a specific structure for reference based on advanced levels of semantic accuracy than the activities performed daily. They are application oriented. They plan and put into place practical solutions in order to acquire practical outcomes. They redesign social beings and the way the natural world conditions are arranged. The emerging concerns of social science in the modern world include development in communication, community building, globalization, gender equality, and modernization. Globalization for example is seen by social scientists as a means through which cultural contacts that have been in existence for long will become extinct. Modernization is also seen to have the same impact.

Social science plays a great role in helping us view the world in a clear perspective. These sciences rely on logical and organized techniques to answer questions related to the world. The development, refining, application and reporting of the perception of social sciences is done by social scientists in a more organized manner. Research in social science minimizes the chances of overgeneralization of the world. Precise criterions are used in social science research to avoid illogical reasoning and conclusions. Risks of inaccuracy in observation are reduced by procedures used in social sciences. Social scientific methods minimize the likelihood of viewing the world in a more egocentric perspective. Geography as a social science helps in understanding the world critically. It integrates various disciplines bringing together physical and human perspectives of the world. Through social science and geography in particular one can easily understand why things are the way they are, are where they are, their relationship with other things and its importance to human beings. In the process of seeking solutions to particular problems either from the past or in the present, individuals uses knowledge and understanding provided by social sciences in order to reach at a practical conclusion (Illinois State Board of Education, n.d).

Illinois State Board of Education (n. d.) asserts that our lives are shaped by social sciences even without our awareness. If we take for example the economic aspect of social science, it greatly enables us to make concrete decisions concerning our choices. It helps us develop habits of saving and investing. It also helps us recognize the connection of what we learn at school with the real life. Social sciences help us recognize the role of the government in the economic world (Okediji, 2006). History helps us to recognize the mistakes that were done by our forefathers and helps us not to repeat them. Through history also we learn some of the greatest steps taken by our forefathers and thus we can follow them to advance developments. It allows for better understanding of the current issues that are of magnitude similar to a past event. Solutions to past problems can be applied to present situations because the effect of these solutions can be determined. Social sciences help us perform efficiently in the workplace. We are better able to understand the relationship existing between different people and thus be able to conduct ourselves in an appropriate manner. Learning geographical issues helps us in preserving the environment in our day to day activities. Social sciences help us live better lives in which everybody are responsible of all his acts. It helps us undertake activities that are aimed at competing efficiently in the world economy. Geography as social science creates a channel in which people can understand the world.

Social sciences also help us in understanding different social systems. People are better able to understand their role in the society as well as changes that occur within the society. This will greatly help in the process of contributing to the society. Sociology helps us to maintain a cordial relationship among other members of the society. Understanding the political system of the land helps us to become responsible citizens. We acquire the skills needed to participate in public and political activities. Through social science, the relationship between one country and the other international communities is enhanced (Illinois State Board of Education, n.d.).

Trigg (2001), states that the relationship between a person and the society is antagonistic. The modern societies have imposed rules that are followed by individuals. These rules encourage the incorporation o individualism and also its separation from the society. In terms of encouraging separation, individual rights take precedence over the community. Then society sets rules that are designed at incorporating virtues among its members. People are not supposed to touch one another in manners that are suggestive of sexual approaches in public. The modern society encourages individualism more than communism.

The main question that arises concerning individual-society relationship is whether one is part of the society or separate from it. Bearing on the fact that the society is a group of individuals distinguished from other groups by their common interests, an individual is part of it so long as heshe lives in that society. Whether part of the society or separate from it, people are not free, they are bound by the rules and regulations set by the society. The society is seen as a thing standing on its own whereas individuals are perceived as existing freely and independent of the society. A person and the society are strongly intertwined and mutually dependent. Individuals are closely merged in the society though they may be viewed as separate and autonomous. A person may have his own identity, but still the society merges as together in masses that constitute that society. The society has many rules that an individual is supposed to follow. These rules are either formal or social norms. Discussions of social leaders and in social networks are the ones that lay out social norms. Formal rules are developed in public debates and legislative structures. If individuals break any of the social norms they feel embarrassed. Breaking of formal rules is punished by fining, jailing, or both. Offenders of these rules are eliminated form the society by these punishments thereby reducing the chances of them repeating the offence. Any punished offender acts as an example to the rest. The qualities displayed by a particular society are the sum total of individual qualities.