Question 1

It is true that original texts are usually too hard for students to decipher.

Accepted Answer

The difficulty of original texts for students varies widely depending on the students' age, reading level, and familiarity with the subject matter, as well as the complexity of the text itself. Many original texts can be accessible and engaging for students with appropriate support and instruction.

Question 2

Our everyday life is filled with theories as we seek to understand the world around us.

Accepted Answer

Theories help us to make sense of our experiences and to make predictions about the future. They are present in various aspects of our everyday life, such as in the fields of science, psychology, politics, economics, and social interactions.

Question 3

The Enlightenment was not so much a fixed set of ideas, but a new attitude, a new method of thought.

Accepted Answer

The Enlightenment was characterized by a focus on reason, skepticism, and individualism. It involved a new approach to knowledge and inquiry, as well as a new emphasis on human rights and the role of the individual in society. These attitudes and methods were not a fixed set of ideas, but rather a broader philosophical and cultural movement.

Question 4

Which of the following is true of the metatheoretical framework?
A)It is a handy mirror for reality.
B)It helps to compare and contrast theorists.
C)Theorists are defined by one quadrant only.
D)Theories are one-dimensional always.

Accepted Answer

The metatheoretical framework helps to compare and contrast theorists. It is a model that includes four quadrants, each representing a different aspect of human experience and behavior. Theorists can be defined by their placement within one or more of these quadrants, and their theories can be evaluated and compared based on their alignment with different aspects of the framework. However, the metatheoretical framework does not provide a direct reflection of reality, and theorists are not necessarily defined by only one quadrant. Theories are also not always one-dimensional and can incorporate multiple aspects of the framework.

Question 5

In general, it is relatively easy to fashion universal laws to explain societal dynamics.

Accepted Answer

Societal dynamics are complex and multifaceted, involving a wide array of variables and factors that are highly context-dependent. Therefore, it is difficult to come up with universal laws that can accurately capture and explain all of these dynamics across different societies and cultures.

Question 6

Rousseau believed both in the social contract and that rationality by itself left an individual lifeless, cold, and uncertain.

Accepted Answer

Rousseau believed in the social contract as a means to preserve individual freedom and promote the common good, but he also believed that rationality alone was insufficient for a fulfilling human existence. He emphasized the importance of emotions, passion, and creativity in human life.

Question 7

The four coordinates used in the authors' table of theorists' basic orientation should be considered by the student as:
A)real statistical points
B)pure points
C)ideal types
D)fixed points

Accepted Answer

The four coordinates in the authors' table are ideal types, not real statistical points, fixed points, or pure points. Ideal types are abstract models used to simplify and compare complex social phenomena.

Question 8

Your authors argue that most scholars, researchers, and students view these theorists in exactly the same light, thus validating the fixed points of the theorists' basic orientation table.

Accepted Answer

The authors argue that there are different interpretations and critiques of these theorists, indicating that there is not a universal consensus on their ideas.

Question 9

Sociologists tend to be interested not only in understanding the workings of society, but also in realizing a more just or equitable social order.

Accepted Answer

Many sociologists view their work as a means of promoting social justice and equality. They seek to understand social issues and use that understanding to bring about positive change in society.

Question 10

Theory is a system of generalized statements or propositions about phenomena.

Accepted Answer

This is the definition of theory as commonly understood in academic and scientific contexts.

Question 11

Sociology's founding fathers' work emphasized rational thought and objective methodology; leaving little room for subjective and humanistic concerns.

Accepted Answer

Sociology's founding fathers, including Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, and Max Weber, indeed emphasized rational thought and objective methodology. However, they also deeply engaged with subjective and humanistic concerns. For example, Weber's concept of "Verstehen" (understanding) highlights the importance of empathetically understanding people's motivations and meanings, demonstrating an early integration of subjective perspectives into sociological analysis.

Question 12

Sociology reflects a complex mix of Enlightenment and counter-Enlightenment ideas

Accepted Answer

Sociology as a field was developed during the Enlightenment period, which emphasized reason, knowledge, and progress. However, it also incorporated ideas from the counter-Enlightenment, which emphasized the importance of tradition, community, and social order. Therefore, sociology reflects a mixture of both Enlightenment and counter-Enlightenment ideas.

Question 13

In which quadrant would we find the reason of "fear of getting a ticket" to the red light question?
A)collective nonrational
B)individual rational
C)collective rational
D)individual nonrational

Accepted Answer

The fear of getting a ticket for running a red light is primarily an individual nonrational reason, as it is a fear based on personal consequences rather than a logical assessment of the situation. It does not involve collective decision-making or a rational analysis of the benefits and costs of running a red light.

Question 14

Define theory and its use in science.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define theory and its use in science....

Question 15

In answer to the sample question posed in the chapter, "Why do people stop at red lights?" which quadrant would say it is both a habit and it is good and right to follow the law?
A)collective nonrational
B)individual rational
C)collective rational
D)individual nonrational

Accepted Answer

The answer of In answer to the sample question posed...

Question 16

Secondary texts do not merely translate what the theorist wrote into simpler terms; rather, in order to simplify, they must revise what an author has said.

Accepted Answer

Simplifying a text requires more than just translation, it also requires revision and restructuring of the original ideas in a way that is more accessible to the reader.

Question 17

So-called facts are based on implicit assumptions and unacknowledged presuppositions.

Accepted Answer

Facts are not always objective and can be influenced by the assumptions and presuppositions of the individual or group presenting them. These underlying factors may not be acknowledged or recognized, making it important to critically evaluate information presented as "fact".

Question 18

The rise of science and empiricism in the mid-seventeenth century would give birth to sociology.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The rise of science and empiricism in...

Question 19

Your textbook argues Abdel Rahman Ibn-Khaldun, Confucius, and Aristotle can best be understood as pre-modern sociologists.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Your textbook argues Abdel Rahman Ibn-Khaldun, Confucius,...

Question 20

The primary domain of sociology according to Durkheim is social facts.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim argued that sociology is the study of social facts, which he defined as the ways in which society constrains individual behavior and thought. He believed that social facts were external to individuals, but had a strong influence on their actions and beliefs.

Quiz 1: Introduction