This document discusses the key differences between common sense and a sociological approach. A sociological approach aims to develop generalizable or universal knowledge through systematic empirical investigation that considers factors like history, geography, and comparisons across societies. It seeks interconnections between different social domains and uses research methods like surveys, statistics, observation and case studies. The researcher must free themselves from limited personal perceptions. Sociological interpretations offer alternative perspectives to views formed by common sense, which is more localized and unreflective. While criticisms of sociology question its claims of value neutrality, the field advances knowledge by allowing investigations from different viewpoints to mutually critique one another.

1. LAW, COMMON SENSE AND SOCIOLOGY
LECTURE: 1 AND 2

2. HOW SOCIOLOGY IS DISTINCT FROM COMMON SENSE?
 Sociology knowledge aims to be General if not Universal. Whereas common-sense is particular and localized.
E.g.Tribal society
 Sociological approach includes arguments,facts, geography, history

3. WHAT IS A SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH ?
 It should handle the empirical material relating to every type of society,his own society as well as other society. - A
Comparative Method i.e.Systematic use of Comparisons
E.g.Status ofWomen
 Its Search for Inter-connections among different domains of society.i.e. Economic,Political,Social,Cultural,religious etc.
(Methods:Survey research,StatisticalAnalysis,Participant Observation,Case studies etc)
E.g.Demonetization
 A shift – From General concepts,Methods andTheories of Sociology to current problems of society,Culture and
Politics in India.(i.e. Socially RelavantTopic)

4. PRE-REQUISITE OF THE RESEARCHER FOR A SOCIOLOGICAL
APPROACH
 Emile Durkheim Suggested, Systematic Investigation of a subject was not possible unless the investigator freed
himself from his perceptions of it. As perceptions shaped generally by limited experiences … (19)
E.g. Suicide (Anomie, Egoistic,Altruistic) A sociological interpretation to a known Psychological belief.
E.g. Religious Value and Economic Outcome (Protestant Ethics and Capitalistic Spirits)

5. TWO DOMINANT INTERPRETATIONS IN SOCIOLOGY
 Religious Interpretations
 Materialist Interpretation of History

6. IMPORTANT DISTINCTION IN SOCIOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE
 BookView vs FieldView
E.g. On social Mobility Rigidity of Caste SystemVs Sanskritization
E.g.Village as little Republic – Inequality and Conflict

7. PROBLEMS IN COMMON SENSE APPROACH
 Common sense is not only localised – being bound by time, place, class, community,gender and so on –
E.g. Gender Roles – Public Private Debate
 it is also unreflective since it does not question its own origins and presuppositions or at least does not do so
deliberately and Methodologically.
E.g. Socialization, Locations and how meanings are created

8. CRITICISM OF SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH
 Value Neutrality i.e. distinctions betweenValue Judgements and Judgements of reality.

9. THE WAY FORWARD
 Advancement of sociological knowledge becomes possible only when investigations made from different
standpoints keep themselves open to mutual correction.
E.g. Idea of Development
 Sociology gives an individual a better sense of alternatives available and its likely costs and benefits of each
available alternatives.
E.g.Women Empowerment

10. REFERENCE
 Beteille,Andre.2002.‘Sociology and common sense’ in Sociology. Essays on approach and method, OUP: New
Delhi. pp13-27