Social Methodology and the Teaching of Sociology

The sociologist as a teacher has generally neglected to consider the logical relationships existing between his educational objectives and his methodological assumptions. Yet only such teaching aims are valid as are logically consistent with the methodology of the subject. If sociology is conceived methodologically as a natural science, the teacher's obligation is limited to communicating a body of objectively observed and quantitatively verified social knowledge. He has no concern with either the human significance of his data or the Weltanschauung of his students. But the data of sociology, in contradistinction to those of the natural sciences, exist not only as observed facts but also as felt experiences. A scientific sociology must be based upon methodological principles competent to take account of this dual aspect of its phenomena, and to provide a valid logical grounding for its educational aims

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