SOCIOLOGY AND COMMON SENSE [KEY POINTS O REMEMBER]

UPSC SOCILOGY MAINS

Paper 1 – The Discipline 

Chapter 1 – Sociology and Common Sense

• Common Sense is defined as routine knowledge that people have of their everyday world and activities.
• It is generally based on what may be called naturalistic or individualist explanation.
• It is taken for granted knowledge.
• It is unexamined.
• Common Sense help sociologist in hypothesis building.
• it provides raw material for sociological investigations.
• Considerations in Sociology are framed by taking into account the commonsensical knowledge.
• When sociology moved closer to Positivism, common sense was discarded. Anti-positivists gave importance to common sense.

• The fascination of sociology lies in the fact that its perspective makes us see in a new light the very world in which we have lived our lives – Peter Berger.
• Sometimes Sociological knowledge itself becomes a part of common sense knowledge – Anthony Giddens.
• Common sense and Science are together used which to expand man’s understanding of truth – Moore and Reid
• All philosophy gradually develops from the ordinary day-to-day consciousness – Hegel
• Common Sense perceptions are prejudices which can mar the scientific study of social world – Durkheim
• Common Sense is the knowledge that people used to make judgements and navigate their way around the world – Goffman

• Common Sense takes cues from what appears on surface but sociology looks for interconnections and causal explanations.
• Common Sense promotes stereotypical beliefs but sociology uses reason and logic.
• Common sense is based upon assumptions while sociology is based upon evidences.
• Empirical testing has no place in common sense knowledge whereas Sociology pursue research with an empirical orientation. 
• Common sense knowledge may not be coherent. Birds of a feather flock together and opposites attract convey opposite meanings.
• Common sense knowledge are personal but sociological knowledge results into generalisations.
• Sociology is change oriented while common sense promotes status quoism.