Briefly Outline the Distinctive Features of the Sociological Approach to Understanding Human Life and the Illustrate How You Would Use Sociology to Make Sense of Globalisation.

Sociology is the systematic, sceptical and critical study of the way that people do things together . It’s not a science that simply lists facts and figures about society. Instead it becomes a form of consciousness, a way of thinking, a critical way of seeing the world. It welcomes you to challenge the obvious, to question the world as it is taken for granted and to de-familiarising the familiar. This is what empowers critical thinking which triggers the development of the understanding of the human life. The aim of this essay is to outline the sociological approach to understanding human life , to explore the different sociological perspectives , to question the reliability of the different forms of research and to emphasise the key elements that make sociology different to other ways of exploring the human life. Finally I shall be illustrating its approach with regards to my biography. Peter Berger distinctive approach to understanding human life was characterised by seeing the general as the particular. This meant that sociologist can identify general patterns of social life by looking at concrete examples of social life. The genesis of this approach is when we realise how the general categories into which we happen to fall shape our particular life experiences. Berger feels that the general impact of society on the actions, thoughts and feelings of particular people are made evident in the way that societies view change over time. For example the views on inequality have changed since the start of the 21st century. Another sociological approach to sociology is seeing the strange in the familiar, â€Å"the first wisdom of sociology is this , things are not what they seem â€Å", Bauman. This is the approach where you have to â€Å"de- familiarise the familiar† , which means that when your approaching to understand human life you have to look at it with a sense that people do not decide what to do but instead society guides their thoughts and deeds. So in essence sociology sets out to show the patterns and processes by which society shapes what we do. C. Wright mills approach to understanding human life was to show that most of our problems were not caused by us but from society. He felt that â€Å"The sociological imagination â€Å" was a way of understanding that social outcomes are shaped by social context. He claims that some things in society lead to certain outcomes. â€Å"when a society becomes industrialised , a peasant becomes a worker . â€Å" Therefore the things we do are shaped by the situation we are in, the values we have. I believe that all three approaches differ ut where they all overlap is in their belief that a person must be able to pull away from the situation and to think from an alternative point of view. To acquire real knowledge is to go against the status quo. 1. ‘The first wisdom of sociology is this: things are not what they seem (sociology global intro p. 5) 2. C. Wright Mills. 1959. ‘The promise’ in The Sociological Imagination New York: 3. http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/C. _Wr ight_Mills 4. Macionis, 5th edition , chapter 1 5. Berger, Peter Invitation to sociology . New York , 1963 With regards to perspectives in understanding human life there are two which are prominent. The first is the functional perspective, this recognises that our lives are guided by social structures. It therefore organises sociological observation by identifying various structures of society and investigating the function of each one. This is a building block for theories that see society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. One of the problems I have with this perspective is that it evokes that society is organically stable, I also questions how we can assume that society has a natural order when social patterns change from location and time. The second sociological perspective is the conflict perspective . this analysis points out that, rather than promoting the operation of society as a whole , social structure typically benefits some people while depriving others, for example the rich in relation to the poor. So sociologist such as Marx that belong to this school of thought try to understand society at the same time change it . The problem here is that as this perspective highlights inequality and undermines unity among members in a society. The aim of this perspective is to pursue political goals , it overlooks scientific objectivity. The other side of the sociological approach to understanding human life is to conduct sociological investigation in order to find out what is sociologically true. There are many different areas of thought which have different angles on what is scientifically true. Positivism suggests that sociological/scientific truths are based on empirical evidence. So for example Berger approach of seeing the general within the particular would coincide here. The reliability of sociological truths do have limitations , for example Peter Berger social patterns change constantly, what is true in one society and in one particular time may not hold truth in another. As opposed to the laws of mathematics, they are universal truths and are immutable. This all evaporates to the argument of common sense versus scientific evidence, and leads to conclusions that sociology should adopt a more humanistic discipline when it comes to understanding human life. This is what differentiates sociology when it comes to other ways of exploring human life. The is because sociology pays more tribute to subjectivity, public opinion and examines how individuals behave to social constrains. This is something which is not evident in a scientific truth or theory. I shall now be making sense of my biography using sociology. The first step will be to consider my biography in a broader view. I have a very healthy family structure with both my parents happily married. Although we are catholic my parents have had a liberal approach in bringing me up. We have been a victim of crime when we were living opposite a council estate where they stole my father’s car. I am half Colombian, middle class and male. I believe that this trait has made me part of the sociological movement of Colombians who have immigrated to the west and choose to not be judged on the stereotypical Colombia (drug dealer ) but on the context of our character. I believe in terms of historical context I am part of the second generation of immigrants, this means that I have been given the opportunity to go to university , take advantage of great health care and go to top state schools where I have been able to mix with upper middle class children. I chose to use a historical context because In† the sociological imagination â€Å" , Mills claimed that we can only understand human life by â€Å"locating himself within his period†. This is because he felt that human choices are dictated by the times in which you live . Given the calibre of education I received at 6th form as was able to acquire a placement at a top carbon brokerage in the city . So I have never been effected by the economic downturn in this country . I was bought up in the 90’s the decade where computers/internet became accessible to most people. My parents always encouraged me to learn as much as possible online, aiding me to have extensive financial acumen, making me effective at my internship. I could of easily have stayed at this job but I decided to go to university. I am not a hundred per cent which social norms caused me to do this, was it to be perceived as an intelligent individual with a degree , was it effective government propaganda in order to have less under 21 in the job market or was it to simply promote inequality. A lot of people argue that going to university promotes this because only middle class children who have the money to pay the fees , who have been to top school that have aided their application or have the support of their academic parents are in a head start position compared to ethnic minorities from run down institutions whose parents have no idea of what upper education entails. In conclusion I feel that sociology has an effective approach to understand human life. It uses a humanistic science which develops as society does. The social sciences adopt scientific methods in the investigation of human behavior on the other hand sociology studies human society as Berger would say by â€Å"seeing the general in the particular†. Furthermore sociology encourages us to question the familiar , helping us to separate fact from fiction. You could argue that this is what has triggered the great minds such as Albert Einteirn. Sociology also helps us to differentiate opportunities and constrains that shape our lives , like I did in my biography where I have had the opportunity to attended a reputable state school which has opened many doors for me but I have also faced constrains with being stereo typed as a Colombian drug dealer. Bibliography ‘The first wisdom of sociology is this: things are not what they seem (sociology global intro p. 5) C. Wright Mills. 1959. ‘The promise’ in The Sociological Imagination New York: http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/C. _Wright_Mills Macionis, 5th edition , chapter 1 Berger, Peter Invitation to sociology . New York , 1963

Torture is necessary for gaining valuable information to keep america Research Paper

Torture is necessary for gaining valuable information to keep america and its allies safe in the war on terrorism - Research Paper Example In the recent geo-political context, the fight against terrorism has reopened this debate. The United States’ military personnel, with permission/instructions from higher authorities (going as high up as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld), have tortured suspected terrorists since the beginning of its War on Terror operations. While some of the methods employed in eliciting important information from suspects is degrading and inhuman, one has to understand prevailing political contexts in which such actions become inevitable. For example, â€Å"to counter an enemy who relies on stealth and surprise, the most valuable tool is information, and often the only source of that information is the enemy himself. Men like Sheikh Mohammed who have been taken alive in this war are classic candidates for the most cunning practices of this dark art. Intellectual, sophisticated, deeply religious, and well trained, they present a perfect challenge for the interrogator. Getting at the info rmation they possess could allow us to thwart major attacks, unravel their organization, and save thousands of lives. They and their situation pose one of the strongest arguments in modern times for the use of  torture.† (Bowden, 2003, p.52) The rest of this essay will try and present more points in support of torture as a key interrogative tool, and show why its continued employment will save thousands of innocent lives in the future. Foremost among the rationales for usage of torture techniques is the current era of warfare we are living through. The September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon and other targets within the United States had illustrated clearly the scope and magnitude of jihadist terrorism. (Bowden, 2003, p.52) This event showed to leaders of democratic nations that terrorism has indeed come of age. In this new era of warfare, battles are no longer waged between symmetrical power entities – one state upon another. Rather, in the asy mmetrical military engagements of today, conventional states confront non-state enemies â€Å"who are palpably post-modern: trans-national, decentralized, more closely resembling a fog or that mythic beast with multiple and multiplying heads, the hydra, than the traditional more or less well-defined and (at least potentially) containable national enemy. Moreover, this hydra is one given particularly to living amongst and preying upon civilians. In other words, as the smoldering ruins of Ground Zero reminded us, this is an enemy who does not respect the traditional moral parameters of warfare. Accompanying this recognition is the suspicion that these developments have finally rendered the just war tradition obsolete, irrelevant, impossible.† (Bell, 2006, p.34) Hence, in these uncertain and insecure times, traditional criteria of measuring fairness and justice no longer apply. Waging the War on Terror successfully requires rejection of antiquarian views of â€Å"legitimate aut hority, last resort, and the possibility of distinguishing between combatant and non-combatant.† (Bell, 2006, p.34) Our leaders no longer have the luxury of â€Å"moral purity or clean hands† that the just war tradition requires. Moreover, one has to make a distinction between acting morally and acting foolishly. It would amount to acting foolishly if key protections of the Bill of Rights are extended to ruthless enemies who do not share America’s vision of war, justice and morality. The key question to ask is whether the imperative to destroy the

A Rammstein Concert Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

A Rammstein Concert - Essay Example The concert was organized in Roy Wilkins Auditotium in plain air, and I remember we had bought tickets man days ago to be able to attend. Hundreds, not say thousand people were gathered, to attend something of modern German culture. I remember I rather had good surprise; nothing was unexpectedly in a bad way, and the concert was given at Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Then I had a seat for the whole time. The concert was generally as I had expected, but much more intensive and lively. So, it was the first 20th of June 2009, when I really got to know from close the modern German culture, by a band that had set up all electronic instruments perfectly: Guitars, drums etc, and they were all dressed in shiny leather costumes, that matched to the light on the stage and made them more ‘’bright’, and impressive in terms of appearance But when also they started playing, they gave the impression of true professionals, reproducing German culture in the best way possible. The lights on the stage had flash, and some tricks that enhanced the attention of the crowd more, by really enhancing the quality of the concert as a whole. It was a splendid concert that day: Exactly same scenery as one would expect, from a band of beginning of 21st century. Lovers of the past decades also, such as 60’s and 70’s, could equally get satisfied, since the whole atmosphere included something of that era indeed! There were too many people gathered over there, and the stadium was full. Same pictures as that time, thus many little children with their parents had joined, and also may adults, who wanted to experience something new and exceptional!. The team was wonderful, not just a live band but indeed an Alive band in all means. The singers were singing too lively... This "A Rammstein Concert" essay gives a full and bright review on one of the concerts of this band. It was a splendid concert that day: Exactly same scenery as one would expect, from a band of beginning of 21st century. Lovers of the past decades also, such as 60’s and 70’s, could equally get satisfied, since the whole atmosphere included something of that era indeed! There were too many people gathered over there, and the stadium was full. Same pictures as that time, thus many little children with their parents had joined, and also may adults, who wanted to experience something new and exceptional!. The team was wonderful, not just a live band but indeed an Alive band in all means. The singers were singing too lively and in a very good mood, as this kind of cheerful music requires. The whole band was in harmony, and managed to imitate many other well known teams of music of the last decade, or the last two decades! The band was well organized, giving out and offering t real German music, of quality! It was homophone in all terms; all members seemed to participate in equal terms thus make a perfect symphony, and coordination. When the singer sang on his own, it seemed that all the rest of members were singing also, while they were just playing. The public was enthusiastic! Little by little all people participated in their own way, and everybody, was paying too much attention, by looking constantly towards the band, although this kind of music does not require such thing, like theater and cinema.

Assignment 4 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

4 - Assignment Example So far, the quantities have lagged behind the quantities expected. Meeting the cellulosic mandate faces considerable challenges (O.E.C.D et al, 2012). The fuel consumption increased by 28.63% in 15 years. This was because the population in 15 years increased. In addition, the number of people owning vehicles increased thus increasing the amount of fuel consumed. Even though the prices of fuel increased, people cannot stop fuelling their cars. The increased percentage is insignificant. The consumption of gasoline does not decrease with an increase in price. Other factors affect the reduction in consumption. This is because from 2005-2007, the consumption increased with a higher price but in 2008, the consumption decreased while the price was the same like the one in 2005-2007. Thus, other factors must have affected the decrease in consumption. Bullis, K. (2007). Will Cellulosic Ethanol Take Off? Fuel from grass and wood chips could be big in the next 10 years–if the government helps. Retrieved from http://www.technologyreview.com/news/407365/will-cellulosic-ethanol-take-off/Bottom of

Nelson Mandela's leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Nelson Mandela's leadership - Essay Example According to Connor and Mackenzie-Smith (2003: 59), â€Å"leadership is an active interaction with the world and involves bringing into being new possibilities from within real constraints†. Mandela’s leadership was based on his philosophy and way of thinking. His cause and persuasive methods were able to win him many followers and ultimately, adversaries also became his friends. In his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela states that â€Å"South Africa will be free only after it achieves the freedom to be free†. He believed that by achieving physical freedom alone, liberty was not possible. It was also essential to support the freedom of others, and live the right life which gives self-respect and confidence (Mandela, 1994: 685). An outline of Nelson Mandela’s life story: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s father was a Xhosa chief of a small village near the capital Transkei in South Africa, where he was born in 1918. Africans living in their own country were discriminated against by the white minority rulers. As a leader of the African resistance that struggled for freedom from apartheid, Mandela was imprisoned for several years. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his struggle against apartheid and was elected as the first black president of South Africa (Mandela, 1994). Nelson Mandela set up law practice in Johannesburg in 1952. Earlier, in 1944, he joined the African National Congress (ANC) which included non-Africans. They tried for resolution in the conflict by a peaceful struggle against aparthed, using non-violent means. The state responded with violence against the Africans. Mandela was elected president of the African National Congress in 1951 and worked for the elimination of discriminatory laws. He led the ANC resistance movement in 1951-1952, was banned and jailed several times (Mandela, 1994). From 1961, the non-violent resistance was given up for violent methods. Mandela was jailed for five years because he illegally

Marketing plan for topps tiles for 2009 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Marketing plan for topps tiles for 2009 - Essay Example The additional spending it had made on a national level TV advertisement campaign coupled with the inflationary trends have resulted in the increased gross expenditure of 43 percent of the total revenue, while it was only 41 percent the last year. On the basic earning reported per share, the results showed a reduction of about 16.5 percent (Topps tile , 2007). But initiatives are being taken to position Topps tiles as the most favoured brand through different customer relationships initiatives, advertisements and also variety of social outreach programmes. The marketing plan for the Topp tiles have been prepared after a very careful analysis of current market position and anticipated growth for the current year. The plans would include all the possible stakeholders in the business of tiles. They are the customers, builders association in UK and also other business players targeting similar set of customer needs. The primary approach is to create a wide range of product choices that would make the customer with excellent choices and hence the purchase could be completed for the choice expected by them. The broad distribution of buyers are shown in the figure 1. Innovative strategies are adopted for the effective marketing of Topp tiles across U K and Holland. The emphasis would be on strengthening the existing customer base at the current sales locations and hence concentrate more to stabilize the leadership position in the tile segment. In one of the important plans proposed, the effort is given to motivate a buyer to have more purchases in the period even though the market studies have shown the prevailing tendency among the customers as to reduce the buying choices to the most minimum levels. Hence, it is to be planned that every prospective customer need to be motivated to have a higher volume of choices, which could

Reasons for the Fall of the Western Roman Empire Essay Example for Free

Reasons for the Fall of the Western Roman Empire Essay There are many pieces of writing containing facts and inferences about the reasons of the fall of the Western Roman Empire. After reading selections from a number of writings on this topic, it is somewhat clear what the main reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire were. The vast majority of the people in those times believed that the old civilization was not worth saving, and that contributed to the fall of the empire, according to Gatzke from what he wrote in a textbook. Another more arguable reason for the fall of the empire is that it was simply too big. Because of its vast size, it was difficult to control and maintain order. Christianity was legalized when Constantine converted to it when he was the Roman Emperor. The introduction of Christianity was another heavy blow to the empire, because Christianity discouraged the active virtues of the society at that time, killed off military spirit, and some public and private wealth was consecrated to Charity. The Roman Empire was so vast because of how many battles it fought in and won. When the empire was out for expansion, they gained conquered territory and used the new resources (such as plundered wealth and markets) to fuel the prosperity, but when the empire ceased to expand, economic progress also ceased. The Roman Empire could not afford to slow economic progress however, because the government had very large expenses, most of which were created by the army and the bureaucracy. The army had its own internal problems rather than just economic. Another factor that contributes to the fall of the Western Roman Empire is that there was a shortage of children, and foreigners began to pour in to be apart of Romes army, soon the Roman empire was composed mostly of Germans. This was internal decay. In an attempt to pay the large expenses owed, the government raised taxes on the people, and this only made matters worse. The effects of high taxation on the people were pretty disastrous, people lost hope and left their responsibilities, tenants fled from farms and businessmen fled from their occupations, private enterprise was crushed, and the state was forced to  take over many kinds of business to keep things going. Welfare was introduced, and although it seems good to society today, back then it made things worse for the empire. People stopped being so self-reliant, and they expected something for doing nothing, basically they were made lazy.