Piecemeal Social Engineering Piecemeal Social Engineering and Possibility of Scientific Sociology: A Critique of Popper’s Method of Social Science

scientific sociology

Abstract

Abstract

The reconstruction or reformation of society needs social engineering that employs social experiment and theories to society. According to Popper, there are two types of social engineering; utopian and piecemeal. The objective of utopian engineering is to change the whole fabric of society by bringing about revolutionary changes. ‘Piecemeal’ engineering does not attempt to change the whole society; it focuses on specific problems and tries to solve each through trial and error. Popper is of the view that we should reconstruct or plan the society in the light of factual knowledge of society and should focus on of existing problems. He believes that his method of social sciences is analogous to science for the reason that in sciences scientists deals with existing problems rather than ultimate aims. Popper believes in unity method of science and social science. Critics of Karl Popper identify problems in unity method. Science deals with observable object. Here criterion of rationality is predetermined and ‘problem situation’ is easy to understand. Social science deals with individual action. Individual has his own perception and background those are not directly observable, so criterion of rationality cannot be predetermined. The aim of this paper is to look into the matter of possibility of scientific sociology by working out limitations of idea of unity method. This study will help in understanding of the theoretical issues regarding Popper’s method of social science.

Key Words: Piecemeal social engineering, Unity method, Methodological Individualism, Situational analysis, Diachronic social research.