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Social science as opposed to natural science

Social science as opposed to natural science

By Allcorn DobbynPublished 3 years ago 4 min read

It's a long story. We must begin with what is society and what is nature. What is society? The society was the place where the gods were worshipped in ancient times. In the past, people at the bottom generally did not have a special meeting hall, and they usually went to the society to discuss things. This is the society. So society means people coming together. From this we know that one person cannot form a society. Can we call it human society if there is only Adam in the world? Can't. It takes at least two people to form a society. The simplest society is one of two people. Any complex things are composed of the simplest things, so we should study any problem from the simplest research, simple research thoroughly, complex problems can be easily solved, do not aim too high. Newton solved the mystery of complex motion by studying the motion of an iron ball in a chute. He did not begin with complex motion. Now let's look at the simplest society of two people. What is the relationship between these two people, what is the phenomenon? Let's do it theoretically, list all the possible relationships, all the phenomena that can happen. Self sufficiency. Each of them did his work and enjoyed the fruits of his Labour. This is self-sufficiency. The relationship between two people is independent and equal. The following things can happen in this relationship: 1 The two people are always on their own, neither helping the other. This is the relationship of independence, equality and self-care. The two people may also help each other. He couldn't lift a stone, so I helped him. I can't catch rabbits. He taught me how to catch rabbits. This is the relationship of independence, equality and mutual assistance. Stealing and cheating between two people. He came to my apple tree at night to steal one of my apples to eat, or I told his fortune to cheat him a handful of rice. This is the relationship between independence and equality. 4 Robbery between two men leads to open fighting. This is the relationship of independence, equality and hostility. Market economy. Two people may exchange goods with each other, and this creates a market economy. The relationship between two people is an independent and equal exchange of goods. The above four phenomena can also occur in such a relationship. Three exploitation. Two people fight or compete, one loses, the means of production is taken by the other, and they become slaves or hired laborers. This is the exploitative relationship. No more independence and equality. The last three of the above four phenomena will occur in this relationship. Public ownership. Two persons may also combine the means of production into joint ownership. Two people work together and enjoy the fruits of their labor. This is the relationship of equals. There is no independent relationship anymore. The second of the above four phenomena occurs in such a system. Here are the relationships and phenomena that can occur between two people in the simplest society. If there's only one person, can you have these relationships? Can't. Can these phenomena occur? Can't. So a society has to have at least two people. Two people are more complicated than one. And no matter how many people there are in a society, no matter how complex the relations and phenomena are, they are all composed of the relations and phenomena of these two people. Let's talk about social phenomena. Now let's summarize the definition of social phenomena from the social phenomena listed above. Social phenomenon is a phenomenon occurring under the action of subjective consciousness and by the interaction of people. This definition emphasizes two points: first, under the action of subjective consciousness. Social phenomena must occur under the action of subjective consciousness, and those that do not occur under the action of subjective consciousness are not social phenomena. Corruption, theft, exploitation and assistance are all social phenomena due to the action of subjective consciousness. Illness does not occur under the influence of subjective consciousness, so it is not social phenomenon. Caused by human interaction. There have to be at least two for it to happen. If it can happen with just one person, it's not a social phenomenon. Getting sick can happen with only one person, so it's not a social phenomenon. Only when the above two points are met simultaneously can it be called a social phenomenon. Infectious disease, can't happen below the circumstance of a person only, is infectious disease social phenomenon? Because it does not happen under the action of human subjective consciousness, it is not a social phenomenon. However, if a person deliberately infects others, it is a social phenomenon. So we should look at it dialectically and make a concrete analysis of specific problems. Is childbirth a social phenomenon? Usually not. But if someone deliberately wants to have more boys or girls, or wants to have a planned birth, that's a social phenomenon. Is labor a social phenomenon? One person can work, so individual work is not a social phenomenon. But collective Labour is a social phenomenon. Is suicide a social phenomenon? Is starvation a social phenomenon? Think for yourself. After social phenomena, let's talk about natural phenomena. There are broad and narrow definitions of natural phenomena. Natural phenomena in the broad sense include those produced by animals, while natural phenomena in the narrow sense do not include animals. The phenomena produced by subjective consciousness among animals are also social phenomena. Natural phenomenon in narrow sense refers to the phenomenon produced by objects without subjective consciousness. Wind and rain are natural phenomena. Social science is the science that studies the laws of social phenomena, or the laws of society; Natural science is the science that studies the laws of natural phenomena, or the laws of nature.

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