INTERSECTIONS OF ANTHROPOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY

AND POLITICAL SCIENCE

DANILO F. MARIBAOPALIPARAN III SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

DASMARINAS CITY, CAVITE

Early on it was emphasized that the capacity to understand culture, society and politics in terms of possessing the sociological imagination necessitates understanding of related concepts.

Example:→ dynamism of culture→ society and politics→ social → political → cultural change

Anthropology – deals with the scientific study of humanity or those aspects that make us human and the imprints of human achievement

Sociology – the systematic and scientific study of human social life.

Political Science – is a science of politics and a politics as a governmental determination of who gets what, when and how.

The intersections of anthropology, sociology and political science would make sense to us as we begin our quest for understanding ourselves better.Our sociological imagination is formed only if we admit that there is a need to see in another the way what most people emphasize personality, character, heredity and individual choice as they discuss human beings, we dot not disagree on this.

→They are part of social science

First Intersection: The three are classified as branches of the social sciences

Social Science →are a division of science that deal with the functions and structure of human society, as well as the interpersonal relationship of individuals as members of society.

Second Intersection: Empirical proof as basis for truth.

At the very heart of these three is the need for rational proof and the recognition that the basis of truth must be found in reason, in a careful appraisal of ideas.

The Socratic Method of investigation is a continuous set of questions posed to someone.Socratic Irony – the method of inquiry

- which is playing dumb or fool in front of one who is self assured, often forces the presumptuous to confront assumptions he made without careful thought.

Empirical proof – a rational proof laid the foundation for modern science, the idea of thinking developed into a proof.

Example: Archimedes wanted to know he could measure the volume of mass (such as a king’s crown).

Rational proof and empirical proof are ways to test whether or not an idea is accurate.Philosopher and mathematician rely heavily on rational proof, while scientist rely on empirical proofs.

Third Intersection: Objectivity in Science

Science is not merely observation but careful observation (Joel M. Charon)Science as “Value-free) investigation. (Max Weber)

The scientist’s only commitment must be to scientific investigation itself; the conclusions remain constantly open to further investigation.

Charon explains further that to be objective means literally to see the world as an “object” apart from our selves. To separate it as much as possible from our subjective perception.

Answer the following:1. Define

a. Anthropologyb. Sociologyc. Political Scienced. Social Sciencee. Socratic Irony f. Rational proofg. empirical proofh. science

2. What are the three intersections of anthropology, sociology and political science? Explain3. Why are human difficult to make generalizations about?4. Why is total objectivity impossible to achieve?

Interactive online activity:1. Using Google search engine, enter “How to start a Cool

Discussion in OurHappySchool.com”2. Read and strictly follow the (5) instruction under “Simple

Steps.” Post a topic for discussion that i related to Filipino culture, society or politics (e.g. please comment on this “Political dynasty is beneficial in the Philippines, Agree or disagree? Why?)

3. Submit to your teacher the two outputs from this e-learning activity (published comment thread and your brief essay).