Though Positivism became a powerful sociological method, it had its critics. Elucidate.

Positivism

• Confirm what is, than what should be
• Use scientific method
• observation, Comparison and classification
• Theory building and science of society
• e.g.: 'Social physics'/'social dynamics'- by Comte.

As a Powerful sociological method:

1. Positivism provided an objective approach to study social reality e.g.: Religion as 'sacred things' by Durkheim rather than 'fear of God/supanatural' i.e common sense views.
2. Use of scientific method and theory building e.g.: Durkheim's social facts, Totemism as Religion.
3. Use of empirical evidences as base e.g.: marx used Blue Books to develop historical materialism.
4. Brought sociology at par with natural sciences

Ej) Weber's Ideal type concept as a way of social science experimentation.

CRITICS OF POSITIVISM

1. Ignore subjective meanings assigned by humans - [Schutz]
2. Action are not cultural dopes without any free will - Phenomenologists like [Garfinkel]
3. Low reliability and validity of social research due to bias of researcher.
4. Incomplete and mimicking of the physical sciences.
5. 'Grand Theories' are not conducive to present development of sociology - [Merton]