Social Science

What are the Social Sciences? One definition is that they are specialised systematic forms of knowledge, which leads the question: What is knowledge? Through discussions with powerful and responsible social scientists, the tracks on this album focus on the history of social science, how they are shaping the world as we know it, and the differences between scientific and religious knowledge. The material forms part of the course DD100, An introduction to the social sciences: understanding social change.

Social Sciences - what are they?

Two social scientists explain what attracts them to the subject, and explore the differences between 'knowing' and 'doing' social science.

Development of the social sciences

How the social sciences developed in response to challenges to traditional systems of belief.

Complementary approaches

Comparing social and natural sciences, the need for both perspectives for full understanding.

Influence of Social Science

The impact the study of social science has had since the 19th century.

Knowledge - what is it?

The relative status of different kinds of knowledge, scientific knowledge and its supposed objectivity. The interrelationship of objectivity and subjectivity.

Religious knowledge

Exploring the God hypothesis to see if it is the best way to explain the circumstances of life, using various objective and even subjective forms of evidence.

Origins of knowledge

The action inherent in knowledge production, for example in religious knowledge. The privilege system of different kinds of knowledge.

Changes in knowledge

Changes in the volume and storage of knowledge that is being produced. Changes in the status of knowledge, for example the natural sciences and conventional medicine.

Expert knowledge

The nature of expert knowledge and the power and exclusivity inherent in it. Decline of faith in the expertise of doctors, people using the internet to treat themselves.

Knowledge and trade

Financial motivation affects the kind of knowledge that is studied and produced and llimits the alternative knowledge that can be produced.

Knowledge and social science

Social construction of the social sciences, the relationship between the natural sciences and the social sciences and the implications of this in the development of the social sciences.