Exploring the crucial impact of social science in understanding and shaping human society.
The other day, I found myself in an intriguing conversation with biologist friends. We were discussing the scientific method, and they mentioned that they consider physics as the gold standard. This remark sparked a cascade of thoughts, leading me to ponder the relationship between the natural and social sciences.
It’s a curious thing, this comparison between the natural and social sciences. Physics has given us marvels like locomotives, semiconductors, and the atomic bomb. Chemistry has produced amazing new materials. Biology has brought us life-saving innovations like the coronavirus vaccine. But what about social science? What have we produced?
At first glance, it might seem like our contributions are less tangible. We’ve developed methods of evaluating redistricting plans, improved polling techniques, and created psychological models like the Big Five and the Implicit Association Test. We have designed better auction rules and discovered some cool marketing tricks. But compared to the daily breakthroughs in biology, chemistry, and physics, it might seem like the past two hundred years of social science have given us nothing as useful and important.
However, I implore a shift in perspective. It is not solely about what social science has manufactured, but rather, why we engage in it at all. As a researcher entrenched in the field of social science, specifically management, my research spans a myriad of topics — from organizational behavior and leadership to strategic management and decision-making. Through this journey, a profound realization has emerged.
We study the natural sciences because they help us understand the natural world and solve problems, from creating vaccines to building bridges to improving food production. But we study the social sciences because they help us understand the social world. And no matter what we do, people will engage in social-science reasoning.
Sociology, in particular, has played a pivotal role in this understanding. It has provided us with a systematic approach to investigate various social phenomena. This systematic approach has helped us understand different social institutions and their functions in society, and it has given us an overview of the changing trends in social institutions around the world.
Interestingly, sociology has also had an impact on natural sciences. The methodologies and approaches honed within sociology find applicability in both precise measurements of small social units and estimations of complex phenomena. This synergy echoes the methodologies employed in disciplines like physics and geology, underscoring the interdisciplinary nature of science.
In addition to its profound impact on understanding human societies, sociology’s theories and methodologies have also significantly influenced research in the natural sciences. The systematic approach and analytical tools developed within sociology offer valuable insights into complex social phenomena, which in turn can be applied to understand and address challenges in natural sciences. For instance, sociological theories such as social network analysis and social capital have found applications in ecological studies, where they help researchers understand the dynamics of species interactions and ecosystem resilience. Moreover, concepts like social norms and collective behavior have been instrumental in studying animal behavior and group dynamics in biological research. This interdisciplinary exchange not only enriches our understanding of both social and natural worlds but also highlights the interconnectedness of different branches of science in addressing complex real-world problems.
Bill James once remarked that the alternative to good statistics is not no statistics, it’s bad statistics. I believe the same holds true for social science. The alternative to good social science is not no social science, it’s bad social science. And bad social science, which is being promulgated 24/7, all year long, all over the world, can do damage.
In essence, while the natural sciences strive to enhance our well-being, the social sciences safeguard us from erroneous reasoning. Though their contributions may not manifest in tangible artifacts, their impact on our comprehension of the human condition is immeasurable.
In conclusion, I believe it’s high time we recognized the value of social sciences. They might not produce tangible products like the natural sciences, but their contributions to our understanding of the social world are just as important.