Sosiologie of Ideologie?

SOCIOLOGY OR IDEOLOGY? Lately some questions have arisen with regard to the relation between sociology as a system of scientific knowledge and ideology as a system of “non-scientific” ideas. Questions regarding this relation especially arise in terms of an alleged — mostly implicit — ideological commitment in sociology, especially in certain approaches in contemporary sociology. Important aspects with regard to the problem under consideration are among other things the phenomenon of value-commitment of the sociologist; the sociologist's view of the aim, task, and method of science; and the changing social structure of sociology. Except for some positive value of the presence of ideology in sociology, the possibility seems — especially in some contemporary radical trends in sociology — that sociology may be changed into mere ideology, especially into political ideology. When one has to come to a balanced view regarding the practising of sociology as a scientific discipline, especially when considering the problem under consideration, it seems necessary that one has to take a certain standpoint. In this connection, the sociologist has to combine three roles into one, namely the role of objective scientist, the role of a communally and societally committed sociologist, and finally (if the sociologist maintains a Christian view of science) the role in which both the former two roles are always judged and adjusted to the principles set by God, Who created and still maintains and sustains the whole universe. The universe includes amongst other things the reality of human society, as well as the sciences and the scientists.