Value-relevant Sociology: The Analysis of Subjects of Social Consequence, Including Implications for Human Well-being |
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| Authors: | David J Gray |
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| Institution: | David J. Gray, Ph.D., is professor of sociology at Hamilton College. Clinton. N.Y. 133230. The author expresses his appreciation to the National Endowment for the Humanities for a grant entitled "Social Science and Human Values";to Beth E:. Vanfossen and Daniel F. Chambliss for their helpful suggestions, and to Joyce Foyer for extraordinary secretarial services |
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| Abstract: | Abstract . The need for sociology to become socially relevant is now being articulated by professional sociologists. While the doctrine that the discipline should be value-free allows sociologists to serve and promote the social values of others, a vital sociological endeavor requires more. Classic sociology was value-relevant. To be socially relevant, it is essential that the discipline become consciously value-relevant, not value-free. For sociology to distinguish important from unimportant social problems and actions requires judgments of relative social value. What social theory, what social policies, and why? Significant sociology analyzes the consequences of social structure, forces and change. This cannot be done in a value-free context, especially so for sociologists who are interested in matters of social policy. |
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