A Study Of Sociological Approach For Science Fiction And Sociology Literature 2020 Manal B. S.

EDITORIAL BOARD
IMPACT FACTOR - 7.9
ISJ
INTERNALTIONAL SCIENCE
JOURNAL
PEER REVIEWED - www.sciencejournal.in
ISSN- 2348-604X (Print) & ISSN- 2348-6058 (Online)
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:
DR LAXMIKANT BASAVRAJ DAMA
Ph.D., M.S.F.T., F.Z.S.I., F.I.A.A.B., F.S.L.Sc., F.S.A.B.,
EXECUTIVE-EDITOR:
(For Special Issue)
DR. BALAJI A. NAVLE,
Asso. Professor, Research Guide & Head,
Department of English Language & Literature,
Marathwada Shikshan Prasarak Mandal‘s
Shri Muktanand College, Gangapur, Dist. Aurangabad – 431 109
(Maharashtra, India)
 Dr. Arvind Mishra, Eminent SF writer & Critic, Jaunpur, UP
 Dr. M. H. Srinarhari, Secretary – General, IASFS, Bangolre
 Dr. Harihar Kulkarni, Fulbright Scholar, USA & Eminent Critic
 Dr. Purushothaman, Chairperson of IASFS, Vellore, Tamil Nadu
 Mr. Harish Goyal, Secretary – General, IASFS, Ajmer, Rajasthan
 Mr. Harish Yadav, eminent SF Magician, Jaipur, Rajasthan
 Dr.Rathnakar Bhelkar, Professor and SF Resource Person, Nagpur,
Maharashtra
Volume 07 ‖ Special Issue ‖ 2020

Sr.
No.
Title of The Paper Writer‘s Name Page
No.
39
Role of Science Fiction in The Individual Development
& Social Development
Dr. Ratnaparkhe Sanjay D. 283
40 Impact Science Fiction Movies On Students
V.G.Mane, G.T. Rathod, D.
N. Gatlewar,
U.B. Chanshetti,
286
41
Science Fiction: Meaning, Definitions, Origin Growth,
Development, History, Types, Schools, Makers,
Anthologies, Movies, Landmarks, Ecology, Myth,
Fantasy.
Pathan Aayasha Ayyub
293
42
Dominant Motifs in H.G. Wells ‗Time Machine‘ Dr. Deshmukh Nanda C &
Pardesi J.D.
299
43
The Art of Expressions: Through Science Fiction with
The Reference of Puppet Show and Robotic Dance.
Ms. Pooja Chaudhary 307
44
Mathematics in Science Fiction: A Study of Selected
Mathematical Science Fiction
Dr. S. N. Bidarkar 314
45
Science Fiction: Chitra Banerjee Divakuruni Dr. P.D. Deshmukh. 316
46 Feminism, Women and Science Fiction Snehashri P. Gawande 324
47
Science Fiction: A Thought-Experimented Form of
Literature
Dr. Navle Balaji Anandrao,
Dr. Arvind Mishra
329
48
Role of Science Fiction‘s Novels and Movies Predicting
Future Technology
Shankar D Birajdar &
Ravindra C. Alange
350
49
The Cinematic Imagination: Indian Popular Films As
Social History with Reference of 2.0 and Pk
Kumawat Deepali A 351
50
A Study of Sociological Approach for Science Fiction
and Sociology Literature
Dr. Bhagwan S. Manal 358
51
Unceasing flow of Human thought in Ian McDonald‘s
River of Gods
M. Aarthi Priya, Ph. D. 366
52
Automatic Car in Isaac Asimov‘s Sally M. Gunasekaran and
Dr. S. Shakila Sherif
374
53
Survival Through Subjugation in Octavia Butler‘s
―The Evening And The Morning and The Night‖
Mrs. S. Lavanya and
Dr. V. Sangeetha
378

ISJ
International Science Journal
Peer-reviewed www.sciencejournal.in
| P a g e 358
Volume - 7 Special Issue1, 2020, ISSN: 2348–604X (p); 2348–6058 (e) © 2020 DAMA International.
Proceedings of the International Conference on Science & Science Fiction Organised by Shri Mukatanand
College, Gangapur, Aurangabad (MS) - India, 10th
& 11th
January, 2020. Editors reserve all rights.
50. A STUDY OF SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH FOR SCIENCE FICTION
AND SOCIOLOGY LITERATURE
Dr. Bhagwan S. Manal
Assistant Professor,
Department of Sociology,
Shri Muktanand College Gnagapur, Dist. Aurangabad.
Email- bhagwansmanal@gmail.com
It is in the task of the sociologist of literature to relate the experience of the writer's imaginary
character and situations to the historical climate from which they derive. He has to transform the
private equation of themes and stylistic means into social equations.
- Leo Lowenthal
ABSTRACT:
This article exercise is a science fiction of sociology literature. It in an attempt to identify and
analyses the connections between a literary science fiction and its social context is sociology.
Sociologists of literature have previously most interested in science fictions which they have
assumed to be mimetic, or in some way reflective of social reality. All literature is characterized
by the elements of the social world which it reproduces and to which it lends most emphasis.
Even when literature can be said to hold to the contemporary world it is a distorting and one that
may distort in a number of different ways. This poses problems for the sociologist who wishes to
use literature and a source of data regarding the social environments of the past and present, but it
also provides the questions which first engage the attention of the sociologist who wants to
explain how literature comes to be the kind of thing it is and how it comes to take the kind of
forms it does. In the second kind of inquiry the distortions are more interesting than the
straightforward reflections and it is this kind of inquiry which is pursued herein. It is for thin

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reason that I have selected a literary species for examination the publishing category known as
"science fiction'': a kind of fiction not all we can or should be interested in.
Introduction:
Science fiction offers useful research material for ananalytical exercise of this kind for
several reasons. Firstly, it is a genre which in relatively easily identifiable. There are a
considerable number of writers who specialize in itsproduction, and a considerable number of
readers who specialize in its consumption. Science fiction, a publishers' category is clearly
labelled, and its writers areusually aware that they are writing material which in to be nolabelled.
Secondly, it in a genre of fairly recent provenance.The label itself has been in existence for little
more thanfifty Years, and with a few exceptions the fiction which sharesthe preoccupations of
labelled science fiction has all been written withinthe last century. During the year period of its
existenceas a labelled genre science fiction has undergone considerablechange, in terms of the
media which contain it, in terms of itseconomic fortunes, and in terms of the stereotypes and
conventionsmanifest in the stories. These changes present something of achallenge to the
sociologist who wants to ask questions about thereasons why some genres thrive at certain times
and the relationshipsbetween social change and changes in the content of literature.In addition to
these general features there are certain aspectsof the genre's particular pretensions which are
sociologicallyinteresting.
Science fiction specifically renounces the claim that it showssociety as it is, but makes the
interesting claim that ii showssociety and it might be, or as it might become.Because of
thinspecial claim we may be able to discover in science fiction anawareness not of social reality
but of expectations of socialchange, and the hopes or fears which are corollary to
thoseexpectations. This might not only illuminate some of theconnections between the content of
science fiction and its socialcontext but may also provide data which are interesting inthemselves.

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The Sociology of Literature: Theoretical Perspective
The sociology of literature is a specialized area of study which focuses its attention upon
the relation between a literary work and the social structure in which it is created. It reveals that
the existence of a literary creation has the determined social situations. As there is a reciprocal
relationship between a literary phenomenon and social structure, sociological study of literature
proves very useful to understand the socioeconomic situations, political issues, the world view
and creativity of the writers, the system of the social and political organizations, the relations
between certain thoughts and cultural configurations in which they occur and determinants of a
literary work. The present chapter attempts to discuss the theoretical premises of the sociology of
literature. It consists of the nature and scope of sociology and its relationship with literature,the
historical development of the sociology literature, the nature of the sociology of literature, its
theoretical approaches and methods and the areas and determinants of literature.
The Nature and Scope of Sociology and its Relationship with Literature:
While introducing the theoretical premises of the sociology of literature, it is felt
necessary to discuss the nature and scope of both sociology and literature. Generally, ‗sociology‘
is defined as the scientific study of society, more specifically human society. As the major
concern of sociology is society, it is popularly known as the ‗science of society‘. Like all other
social sciences, it is concerned with the life and activities of man. It also examines the origin,
structure, development and functions of human society, scientifically. It also tries to determine the
relationship between different elements of social life and discovers the fundamental conditions of
social stability and social change. It analyses the influences of economic, political, cultural,
artistic, aesthetic, geographical, scientific and other forces and factors on man and his life and
throws more light on the various social problems like poverty, education, social class, religion,
and others. Taking into account of all these aspects Alan Swing wood states: ―Sociology is

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essentially the scientific, objective study of man in society, the study of social institutions and of
social processes; it seeks to answer the question how society is possible, how it works, why it
persists‖. He further points out that the social structure is constituted through the rigorous
examination of the social, political, religious and economic institutions in the society. Lucien
Goldman also admits: ―sociology is a science based on an aggregation of categories forming an
intellectual structure, thenthese categories and this structure are themselves social facts that
sociology brings in to relief‖. In the New Oxford Encyclopedic Dictionary sociology is defined as
‗a study of human, especially civilized, society; study of social problems, especially with a view
to solving them‘.
Etymologically, the term ‗sociology‘ is derived from the Latin word ‗socius‘ meaning
companion or associate and the Greek word ‗logos‘ or ‗ology‘ meaning study or science.
According to H. K. Rawat ―literally, sociology is the study of companionship, meaning social
interaction and its resultant relationship that exists between companions or groups of human
beings‖. Moreover, this view does not make clear the nature of sociology, because the other
disciplines such as; anthropology, political science, psychology and economics study society
scientifically, focusing its various factors and features. In the same way, the different social
thinkers have defined ‗sociology‘ in diverse ways. As a result, the questions such as; ‗what is
sociology, what is the nature of sociology, what is the function of sociology, what is the
relationship between sociology and literature are not answered precisely and comprehensively.
Science Fiction and Sociological Approach:
Used effectively Science Fiction encourages and enables students to think about real and
imagined social life, their own values and experiences, the ways in which we collectively hope
social arrangements, he influences of society on individuals, and the possibilities for and
Constraints on altering social arrangements. SF does not merely entertain or provide variety; it

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develops analytic skills. BecauseNovels entail extensive development of charactersand plot (read:
individuals and groups, society and culture, and interaction), they help students develop their
sociological imaginations S. F novels are especially useful because they implicitly or explicitly
question existing social arrangements in the process of creating alternatives Moreover,
particularly sophisticated students notice when SF writers fail to question existing Arrangements
they observe the "taken-for-granted"quality of some cultural assumptions,practices,and
institutions.All of this could have been, and was,claimed for SF in the mid-1970s. Why,then, is
the material on teaching sociologythrough SF from two decades ago no longeradequate?
The sociology of science fiction: A brief history
There is a special amount of work on the sociology of Science Fiction; separately if we
define the concept most include essays by non-sociologists that address sociological theories and
concepts. The fields of literary criticism and film studies regularly address sociological aspects of
Science Fiction. For instance, feministexamines themes in SF literature, and highlights issues of
colonialism, globalism, race, gender, and class in SF literature and film. The Science Fiction
Studies often includes with sociological insights and perspectives. Most notably, SF devoted to
the sociology that highlights Marxist theories of production and consumption among other topics.
There is also research conducted by sociologists and other social scientists, a notable number of
whom also write fiction.
As this discussion suggests, the primary strand of research in the sociology of SF focuses
on sociological themes, concepts, and theories in SF literature and film; most often, but not
exclusively, those related to inequality and stratification. Perhaps most prominently, there are
many books and articles examining gender, feminism, and sexuality in SF.The prevalence of
feminist and gender themes is somewhat surprising given that the SF audience is thought to be

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male dominated, though, as noted above, this appears to be changing. Such a focus on gender and
feminism can be seen as an example of directive communication in SF.
Sociology needsto the science fiction:
Science fiction can help us understand reality in much the same way as a well-constructed
ideal type. For years, social theory instructors have turned to showcase the excesses of
bureaucracy, or to help students see the alienation of labor in an unrealistically, but theoretically
generative, pure form. Beyond their explicit pedagogical value, shows like Black Mirror provide
a common language for fan communities to make sense of present events. Science fiction offers a
reservoir of ―extreme‖ counterfactuals. The easiest sort of counterfactuals is those that were really
tried and tested in the historical case roads that were considered and almost traveled, false starts
that gained some momentum but were edged out by an alternative. Finally, there are extreme
counterfactuals, worlds so different that it takes a great leap to even imagine them. S.F.,
especially in its alternate history mode, specializes in this sort.Third, and related, science fiction
offers a complement to history and anthropology as a source for alternative visions of society.
When sociologists grapple with the big transformations of modernity, we often struggle to
characterize how else things could have been.Fourth, in offering a wellspring of alternative
visions of society, science fiction can offer inspiration for imagining a more just society.Finally,
science fiction is itself a social field in the world, characterized by its own norms, cultures, logics,
and inequalities. While it‘s easy to identify a progressive orientation to many of Sci-Fi's visions of
the future, there is also a long tradition of sexist and racist sci-fi writing.
Science FictionMaking Strange Developing Sociological Skepticism:
Many introductory texts begin with a briefdiscussion of "sociology and commonsense."
Sociology is not merely commonsense, the texts say; it requires a skeptical, questioning stance.
Sociologists look "behindthe scenes" and refuse to take "whateverybodyknows"at

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facevalue.Things arenot always as they seem, says the sociologist; we "know"both
"howtheyseem"and "whatthey really are" as the result ofscientificmethodand empirical research.
In sum, the sociologist (at least temporarily) makes strange the familiar (or the not-strange).
The SF author cannot depend on familiarity and cannot assume that readers will share the
assumptions of the fictional universe. Science fiction thus shares with sociology the task of
―estranging‖ students. It does so, by presenting worlds, actions, and people which
aresimultaneously familiarand unfamiliarand in which, at least superficially, students themselves
are not invested.
The sociology instructor's first task is to make students question what they normally take
for granted, to be skeptical. The second is to develop their ability to use sociological methods,
concepts, and theories to begin answering questions. SF can work toward this aim on a number of
levels. It may be used as example or illustration. More fundamentally, however, SF translates
abstractions- concepts or theories-into particular people and actions, and it is the comprehensible,
plausible actions and reactions of these particular people, the characters in the story, that engage
and hold our interest. When students step back from the story and "see" examples in fiction, in
effect they are translating particulars back to abstractions. They are developing and using
concepts, models, and hypotheses.
Conclusion:
Using SF with introductory students entails some difficulties. Some students resist
because they have never read SF; others because they have read it and disliked it. Many are
familiar only with stereotypes of pulp sci-fi. I use two strategies for overcoming this initial
resistance. First, Independ on their trust that I wouldn‘t assign material unless it was worthwhile.
Also, and more important, I choose novels that are naturalistic and thus accessible to introductory
students. A second potential difficulty is that students' inability to understand the story may

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interfere with their ability to analyze it. Orientation questions, an opening lecture on the basic
narrative, and a willingness to respectfully entertain even" silly" questions on plot or character all
facilitate understanding and lay the groundwork for analysis. Introductory Sociology often leave
students pessimistic, paralyzed, and/or enraged and in need of "debriefing.
All this is what I love about science fiction and why I believe it‘s profoundly sociological.
Despite my opposition to psychohistory and whatever its real-world analogues might be, I
value Foundation for provoking challenges to both its core ideas and our own. Novelist Philip K.
Dick once defined his genre, sci-fi, as describing worlds that are ―possible under the right
circumstances,‖ based on a transformation or dislocation of our current world in such a way that a
new society is revealed. At its best, science fiction prompts you to rethink what you know about
the world and what the future might hold.Sociologists will need new metaphors, new ideal types,
new counterfactuals, and new guiding lights as we navigate the 21st century. We face new
problems, like anthropogenic climate change, and old, enduring ones, like the Color Line. Science
fiction can help. And perhaps, along the way, science fiction can learn a thing or two from
sociology.
References:
1. Asimov, I., 1978, forward to 'Encyclopedia of Science Fiction', Holdstock, R. (ed), 1978, W. H.
Smith Pub.
2. Clarke, A. C., 2000, 'Profiles of The Future: An Inquiry into the Limits of the Possible',
Phoenix.
3. Clarke, A. C., 1986, Introduction to 'The Sentinel', Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated.
4. Kilgore, D. D., 2010, 'Astrofuturism: Science, Race, and Visions of Utopia in Space',
University of Pennsylvania Press.
5. Kopparberg, P., 2004, 'Hubble and the Big Bang', The Rosen Publishing Group.
6. Sagan, C., 1979, 'Boca's brain: reflections on the romance of science', Random House.

The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers
wisdom.
— Isaac Asimov
It would be our worst enemy who would wish us to live only on the glories of the past and die off
from the face of the earth in sheer passivity. By continuous achievement alone we can justify our
great ancestry. We do not honour our ancestors by the false claim that they are omniscient and
had nothing more to learn.
— Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose
Mary Shelley Octavia Butler Ursula K. Le Guin
INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE JOURNAL
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