Introduction to Social Sciences with Natural Sciences and Humanities
Historical Background of Social Sciences
The history of the social sciences begun in the roots of ancient philosophy. In ancient
history, there was no difference between Mathematics and the study of history, poetry or politics,
only with the development of mathematical proof did there gradually arise a perceived difference
between “scientific” disciplines and others such as the “humanities” or “liberal arts.”
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The Social Sciences developed from the sciences (experimental and applied), or the
systematic knowledge - bases or prescriptive practices, relating to the social improvement
of a group of interacting entities.
The Social Sciences its primary interest lies in predicting and explaining human behavior.
Social Science, as the name signifies, is a science of society or say a science which studies
the socio-cultural aspects of the human affair. It is that branch of knowledge which is
concerned with the study of society, its interpersonal relationship with individuals
(members) and its functioning.
Social science is all about people living along in groups, families and communities, i.e.,
how they live, how they interact, how they behave, which language they use for
communication, what traditions they follow, what do they wear, what is their religious
affiliation, which ideology they promote, etc.
Humanities
refers to the study of the ways in which the human experience is processed and
documented. - encompasses the field of philosophy, literature, religion, art, music, history and
language. is a popular field of study, which is concerned with human society and culture, which
makes use of qualitative methods which are mainly analytical, critical or speculative. The subject
matter of humanities is thoughts, creations, development and actions of humankind in the past and
present.
One of the major differences between the two is that humanities involve a more critical and
analytical approach whereas social sciences deal with more of a scientific approach.
The Scientific method is a systematic and logical approach in acquiring and explaining
knowledge. It involves a step-by-step procedure of identifying the problem, formulating a
hypothesis and testing this hypothesis by gathering and analyzing relevant data.
Natural Sciences
A major branch of science that deals with the description, prediction and understanding of
natural phenomena, basically based on observational and empirical evidence.
Two Main Branches of Natural Science Denhardt et al. (2009)
Life Science/ Biological Science
It studies life in all its forms, past and present. This includes plants, animals, viruses and
bacteria, single-celled organisms, and even cells.
Physical Science
This is the systematic study of the inorganic world, as distinct from the study of the organic
world, which is the province of biological science.
Physical Science umbrella
Physics - The science in which matter, and energy are studied both separately and in
combination with one another.
Astronomy - The scientific study of celestial objects (such as stars, planets, comets, and
galaxies) and phenomena that originate outside the Earth's atmosphere (such as the cosmic
background radiation).
Chemistry- The study of matter and its transformations and the development of methods
to manipulate those transformations to create new and useful forms of matter.
Earth Science - The study of the Earth and its neighbors in space. It is an exciting
science with many interesting and practical applications.
Social Sciences and Natural Sciences Things in Common
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both sciences employ the scientific model in order to gain information.
both sciences use empirical and measured data evidence that can be seen and discerned
by the senses.
both sciences’ theories can be tested to yield theoretical statements and general positions.
Differences of Social Sciences and Natural Sciences
Social Science
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Arose 300 years later
Deals with subject (human being)
It is spontaneous, unpredictable and uncontrollable, as it deals with human emotions and
behavior.
Experiential Data
Typically involves alternative methods of observation and interaction with people within
community.
Open system
Natural Science
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Started during the 16th and 17th century. Deals with object.
Characterized by exactness, controlled variables, and predictability. Experimental Data
The typical method of science is doing
repetitive and conventional laboratory experiments.
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Closed System
Social Science and Humanities Things in Common
Both the humanities and social science are concerned with human aspects like, law,
politics, linguistics, economics, and psychology as well as human lives and nature
Differences of Social Sciences and Humanities
Social Sciences
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Influenced by and developed after the French revolution and the Industrial revolution.
Social science deals with more scientific approach.
Involves application of an empirical, rational, and objective methodology (such as the use
of validity and reliability test) to present facts.
Humanities
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Emerged in the 15th century.
Humanities involved more of a scientific approach.
Deemed to be more philosophical and concerned with heritage and the question of what
makes us human. It comprises the application of an interpretative methodology.
Social Science, Humanities, and Disciplines
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A social science is any branch of academic study or science that deals with human behavior
in its social and cultural aspects. Usually included within the social sciences are cultural
(or social) anthropology, sociology, psychology, political science, and economics.
To analyze, explain, and possibly predict and produce new knowledge of factual
information, to generate and produce new knowledge or factual information
Social science is all about people living along in groups, families and communities, i.e.
how they live, how they interact, how they behave, which language they use for
communication, what traditions they follow, what do they wear, what is their religious
affiliation, which ideology they promote, etc.
Its objective is to understand all the facets of society, along with finding solutions to the
problems encountered by the society.
Humanities
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To better appreciate the meaning and purpose of the human experience - both broadly
in the nature of the human condition, as well as within each individual.
It tends to determine the defects in the mankind, as well as the ways to improve
them. Basically, humanities attempt to make a man, more human. And for that, it
prescribes an ideal behavior for an individual to be called as a cultured human being.
Humanities explain an individual about his/her origin, genesis, neighbor's, forefathers
and also about the self.
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It introduces us to the living being who we have never seen, places that we have
never been, stories we have never heard and ideas which we never wondered.
Conclusion
To understand the present-day scenario of the world, one must have a good
understanding of social science. Whether you talk about law, or international relations, or
economics, all are simply branches of social science. On the other hand, humanities help
individuals to understand the human experience better.
Disciplines of Social Sciences
Anthropology – “anthopos” (human), “logos” (study of)
Scientific study of man or human being and their societies in the past and present.
Demography - “demos” (people), “graphein” (description)
Study of human population and dynamics
Economics - “oikanomia” (household management)
Study of what constitutes rational human behavior in the endeavor to fulfill needs and
wants.
Geography - “geo” (Earth), “graphein” (description)
Deals with the study of the relationship between the earth and people.
Linguistics - “lingua” (tongue, language)
Study of languages and focuses on the three aspects of language.
History - “histoire” (recorded and documented events)
The study of the past and its records about events.
Political Science - “politika,” “polis” (affairs of the cities)
Deals with the system of governance.
Psychology - “psyche” (mind), “logos” (study of)
Scientific study of the mind and behavior.
Sociology - “socius” (people together, associate), “logos” (study of)
Study of groups - how they are formed, how they change, and how the group impacts
individual behavior.