Читать книгу Sociology - Anthony Giddens - Страница 32

Many students find sociological theory difficult, not least because they do not understand why the subject has so many different theories. Sociology has never been a discipline where a single body of ideas is accepted as valid by everyone. Sociologists often disagree about how to study human behaviour and how research findings should be interpreted. This is quite normal and is an aspect of all scientific subjects. However, unlike physics or chemistry, sociology involves studying ourselves, and this can severely challenge long-held views and attitudes. Sociology can be unsettling and disturbing. Nonetheless, we must make every effort to set aside our emotional and political commitments, at least while we are in the process of ‘doing sociology’. If we do not, then there is a risk that we will be misled and that our conclusions will not be valid.