Deproffesionalizing Sociology: A Reflection


Randy David’s works continues to inspire me. Recently I have read his essay ‘Deproffesionalizing Sociology.’ It hovered on the paradox of the intellectuals’ stand as an agent for social and political ‘problems.’

He basically identified the distance of sociologists and social scientists towards reality. Students and intellectuals are imparted with theories and methodologies. David’s question was: does too attention on these, effect to distance knowledge away from practical use. Praxis is compromised. What happens is that the intellectual is a dysfunction of her ends—to change something.

He suggests that sociologists should strive to use that knowledge and training to change what is seen as a problem. She [the intellectual] should pay an active involvement for social invention and legislation. She should propose changes and plan how it will take effect towards certain ends—to quench the drought of society. These ends would be related to social justice, social equity, national autonomy and others than point towards a better Philippine society.

The problem only is that the distribution of symbolic goods neglects the importance of sociology as a discipline. I believe that sociology can suggest ways to lift us from the self-perpetuating and quick-sanding problems that are considered as an impasse. The only problem is that pragmatism (being practical) kills the inducement of people to indulge in the discipline. You can count how many sociology departments there are in the Philippines and how limited the students are.

So it suggests that social scientists should have a special understanding from the people. People should understand that theory is meaningless without practice. Practice is the final end of the social sciences’ fulfillment of function.

I just hope the people will be aware of these things. I hope that stigmatism will lessen towards the sociologists who indulge in social legislation who most of the times break the law and mores. (I presuppose that the legitimacy and conventions will not be the sole guideline for social design.) In relation with this, there should be an increase attention for the social sciences—make it available for the public and make it a beacon of trust for the people, institutions, and whole society’s well-being.


Note: I may not have a complete or correct interpretation of the reading. So readers of Randy David, ping me if I messed up the ideas. Comments are always welcome.