Sociology and common sense[1]

Many people mistakenly believe that sociology is the study of the obvious. They claim that sociology is nothing but the application of common sense. This problem mainly arises some times sociological knowledge come so close to the every day experience of the individual that it is taken as “obvious” or common sense. No doubt there is sociology borrows from common sense but at the same time vast differences exists between them.

Commonsense ideas and explanations claim to represent the things that "everyone knows" about the social world and / or human behaviour. These ideas, whatever they may be, are not necessarily incorrect, but they do tend to have one characteristic that sets them apart from sociological forms of knowledge, namely that commonsense ideas are simply assumed to be true. There can be no argument about their validity.

This, sociologists argue, is not a recipe for human progress or understanding. Sociological knowledge, on the other hand, has greater validity than most forms of commonsense knowledge. This is because it has been tested in some way. In simple terms, sociologists try to base their statements about human behaviour on evidence rather than simple assumption. In this respect, sociologists are concerned with arguments and proofs rather than with simple assertions of "fact".

Some differences between commonsense and sociological perspectives

Firstly, sociological knowledge is frequently at odds with "what everyone knows". Whether this makes sociological forms of knowledge "superior" to common-sense forms is a matter of debate. However, in it's favour is the fact that sociological knowledge is the product of theory development and testing, whereas common-sense knowledge is simply the product of assumption.

Secondly, sociological knowledge is based on the insights into human society, culture and behaviour. Common sense is not always “common,” nor “sensible.” Statements like “Birds of a feather flock together” and “Opposites attract,” while supposedly based on common knowledge, contradict each other.

Thirdly, Common sense is sometimes nothing but a general perception based on individual experiences, For example, people may perceive there to be a major crime problem based on their own experiences of crime. But, in reality if facts are analyzed, the rate of crime may have actually come down.

Fourthly, Common sense views tend to reflect social traditions and conventions and therefore tend to reinforce the status quo and resist social change.  On the other hand the sociological knowledge is meant to be progressive in character.

Fifthly, Common sense views are often based on images which get reinforced through the tradition.  For example, being a saint in Indian society, assume a particular type of image which people accept as true. Whereas, Sociological views actively challenge stereotypes. 

Apart from these general differences, Conant[2] has differentiated science and commonsense in following five ways

1. Commonsense understanding is based on loose understanding of concepts, whereas sociology does so in a very strict manner. Some times for example loose interpretations of concepts like working class, rich people, women etc is done
2. Commense knowledge does not employ empirical testing.
3. Commense knowledge relates two variables in a loose manner without examining the influence of other variables. For example
4. While relating two phenomenons again, some times one way explanations is done without examining the other side.
5. Observed phenomenon is explained in terms of non logical type knowledge. Whereas, in sociology this is done rationally and systematically. For example poverty of a person is because of God’s wishes.

But at the same time, it should not be understood that all common sense beliefs are contradictory and irrelevant, many sociological findings do appear consistent with common sense. By systematically testing common sense beliefs against facts, sociologists can sort out which popular beliefs hold true and which do not. To accomplish this, sociologists use a variety of social science research designs and methods.

It is relevant here to acknowledge that sociology has and continue to draw from commonsensical knowledge. Perhaps more than other branches of scholar- ship, sociology finds its relation with common sense most intact. Physical and biological sciences do not appear to be concerned with spelling out their relation- ship to common sense.

Firstly, Commonsense falls within the preview of daily experiences and sights of ordinary people. Human actions and interactions, groups and institutions that sociologists explore have been given names by the people themselves and so are objects of commonsensical knowledge. Concepts used in sociology like Families, kinship networks, neighbourhoods, cities and villages, etc have a meaning which is definitely influenced by common sensical knowledge.

Therefore, Sociological terms are laden with meanings given by common-sensical knowledge.

Secondly, Common sense provides the raw material for sociological investigations. Sociological knowledge would be considered incomplete if it does not answers the commonsensical knowledge its theories, observations and conclusions.

Thirdly, common sense also helps in development of sociological knowledge. Common sense knowledge can criticize sociological knowledge, suggest alternatives, which helps in enriching of the disciplines.

But, Sociology as a discipline is more than common sense. Sociology is a method of inquiry that requires the systematic testing of beliefs against evidence. Sociologists, therefore, make determining whether specific ideas are fact or fiction their job.

Postmodernists claim that sociological knowledge is not superior to common sense knowledge.  This is because they claim that there is no such thing as the truth and therefore all knowledge is uncertain.  They claim that we are left with competing narratives which are in a power struggle between each other, sociologists of course stand up for sociology over common sense - but is sociology any more valid than common sense?

Some thinkers like Anthony Giddens also claim that sociological knowledge often becomes common sense knowledge for example; sociological research into marital breakdown has lead people to believe that marriage is a risky business.