When analyzing classical theory, there are a lot of critiques based on many principles that surround it. Sprague defines the sociological canon as being based on the lives and behaviors of white males through a middle class perspective. In short, approaching sociology through such a limited perspective creates biased analysis of society. How can anyone truly understand the world when groups such as women and other races were not seen as important factors of Sociological study? Sprague recognizes three problems regarding this, the first being that there are hierarchies of social selective privileged attention. For example, viewing society on a macro level as opposed to a micro level. There are also poor analytic categories, these include logical dichotomies. An example of this would be looking at the world as Black vs. White. Assuming that all of the races in any society fit into one of these categories is very limiting when trying to dissect societal norms and structures. Poor analytic categories also promote abstract individualism and the universalizing of ideologies. Throughout college many of my classes have focused on gender as well as the study of women. Like Sprague argues, many of the beliefs surrounding men and women originated from Western perspectives; these constructions shaped the behaviors of men and women, and still even exist today. Western ideologies are seen as superior to those of other societies, and a common misconception is that the norms of the Western world are identical to other societies. I read an article called “It’s Only a Penis” The author of this article argues that the idea of rape being a universal concept is in fact a fallacy, although those in the West believe that because it occurs here, it must occur everywhere. The author traveled to a community where gender roles literally did not exist. Men and women worked together and complimented each other when it came to household duties. Rape was not even a concept to these individuals, and couldn’t believe women in other areas of the world could be afraid of a penis. Viewing the world through such a biased lens, leads to a lack of understanding other cultures, this in turn limits our views. The last problem Sprague mentions is that social theory is largely misguided. Again, it is largely based on such limited perspectives. Viewing the world believing the ideology of Caucasion, male superiority promotes ignorance.
Sprague also mentions three solutions to fix the stigma associated with social theory. They are connection, engagement, and diverse standpoints. A term we learned earlier in the semester, “praxis” can also be related to this. Praxis refers to a plan of action with goals of a solution to produce change. She believes that by using these solutions, the study of sociology can be shaped into an unbiased view of society. Change is possible, even as Brad said, Sociologists just recently began studying race on a broader perspective. This no longer just covers black and white and instead studies all aspects of race. Sprague believe that Sociology needs to move away from Classical ideologies and needs to cover all aspects of society, not just white middle class men.
There is no question that there are obviously flaws with social theory. These theorists lived in a time where white western males were seen as the norm and the rest of the world and society that did not fit into this mold were othered and wrongly stereotyped. However, as time progresses and we gain a deeper understanding of the world and its inhabitants, positive changes are being made in the field of Sociology. There is no doubt that while a lot of study is based on traditional ideologies, the world will continue to be viewed through unbiased perspectives that will help us further understand the way the world works.
Sprague also mentions three solutions to fix the stigma associated with social theory. They are connection, engagement, and diverse standpoints. A term we learned earlier in the semester, “praxis” can also be related to this. Praxis refers to a plan of action with goals of a solution to produce change. She believes that by using these solutions, the study of sociology can be shaped into an unbiased view of society. Change is possible, even as Brad said, Sociologists just recently began studying race on a broader perspective. This no longer just covers black and white and instead studies all aspects of race. Sprague believe that Sociology needs to move away from Classical ideologies and needs to cover all aspects of society, not just white middle class men.
There is no question that there are obviously flaws with social theory. These theorists lived in a time where white western males were seen as the norm and the rest of the world and society that did not fit into this mold were othered and wrongly stereotyped. However, as time progresses and we gain a deeper understanding of the world and its inhabitants, positive changes are being made in the field of Sociology. There is no doubt that while a lot of study is based on traditional ideologies, the world will continue to be viewed through unbiased perspectives that will help us further understand the way the world works.