Adam Pilarski 9/4/13

Sociology Notes for 09/04

Sociologists believe in the absolute nature of their convictions.

Thus we enter the realm of the observational sciences with the art of sociology.

Astronomy: -Cannot experiment with the Solar System, the stars, the galaxies, or the universe(s). Climatology -Long-term, global-scale changes may occur because of human actions. -But climatologists only observe, explain, and predict those changes. Paleontology -Prehistoric life was, not is. -This, along with anthropology, has been subject to frauds. Geology -Cannot control tectonic forces, cause volcanoes to erupt or earthquakes to occur. Epidemiology -Should not start a disease epidemic in order to study how a disease spreads in a population (could do so)

Science has ethical standards for what scientists should do, but not prescriptions for what societies should do. Can model the spread of an epidemic. Sociology does modeling as well.

Two Major Approaches to the Study of Societies Macrosociological approach: -Focuses on societies as wholes and on the relationships among societies -Considers the five major components of societies (population, culture, material products, social organization, and social institutions) within the larger social system and the relationships among these components. -Is historical and comparative. Microsociological approach: Focuses on one or many of the components of a society -Individual behavior, families, religions, communities, peer groups, civilnever mind. Look up the remainder of this sentence.

A society need not be confined to the human race. Consider, perhaps, the sea sponge. Insects, however, have immensely complex societies-such as their assembly system. Why dont we ever see a social reformation amongst the bees? Other vertebrates, such as primates, lions, orcas, and wolves, all have distinctly complex societies.

There are more complex units within the adaptive communities, such as churches, po

Hunter-gatherer tribes had no conception of land possession. If the

We are constantly adapting to an environment, an environment which is raoidly changing

Distributive justice: treat others the way you may want to be treated. Hauser, look him up!