SOSC1000 Essay Answers
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York University *
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1000
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Philosophy
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Feb 20, 2024
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7
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1.
Foundational Paradigms and Social Facts
The term “flashlight” is used by Tang in
Foundational Paradigms of Social Sciences
as a metaphor to emphasize how the 11 foundational paradigms are used to shine a light on
different aspects of humanity. However, knowing that flashlights produce limited light in a
mass area, only a certain amount of light can be shed on human society, never the whole
(Tang, 2011). Therefore, it can be argued that the term “flashlight” is explicitly used to
understand social truth. An emphasis will be drawn on gentrification and celebratory events
with regard to the term “flashlight” and how it is utilized to tackle the facts researchers
choose to uncover—bearing all the foundation paradigms in mind, as mentioned in Tang’s
Foundational Paradigms
.
An example of the term "flashlight" can be seen in the discussion of gentrification:
"the process of changing an area, so that it is suitable for, or can mix with, people of a higher
social class than before" (Miller & Freeman, n.d.). Gentrification is more politically
associated, yet it is deeply emotional and personal for many people. It happens rapidly, and
those affected often lack the social or historical connections to ground their opinions or
propose solutions (Miller & Freeman, n.d.). As mentioned in Woodwell's
Research
Foundations
, discussion related to social change must be examined first. Gentrification
research, historical conditions, disinvestment and investment patterns, and the impact on
communities are three principles to consider regarding the issue of gentrification (Urban
Displacement Project, n.d.). As stated in
Pushed Out: Displacement Today and Long-Term
Effects
, gentrification has a wide range of adverse effects that cannot be overlooked, yet in
order to comprehend these negative consequences, the foundational paradigms must be
applied. Social science questions to consider regarding displacement such as "How are people
from different classes affected?” and "Where can these people go?" are deeply rooted in
2
idealism and ideology, with the idealistic goal of displacing homeowners in favour of
wealthier ones becoming an objective (Miller & Freeman, n.d.).
As previously stated, in order to uncover social truth, one must employ a specific
paradigm. To address this social challenge, it will be necessary to gain a better understanding
of the context of this complex process to be insightful and realistic with local, national, and
even worldwide solutions (Miller & Freeman, n.d.). In this example, it is fair to say that
idealism versus materialism can be a selective paradigm or, in other words, “flashlight,” to
discover the idealistic view of gentrification versus materialism within the community.
2.
Ontology & Epistemology
To begin with, let's define ontology and epistemology and their roles in research.
Ontology is the study of "being," and its primary focus is on what exists within the world that
humans can learn. Researchers utilize this to understand and recognize how precise they can
be regarding the nature and reality of entities under research (Moon & Blackman, 2017).
Epidemiology is the study of "knowledge," specifically the validity, scope, and methods of
acquiring knowledge, such as "(1) what constitutes a knowledge claim; (2) how knowledge
can be acquired or produced; and (3) how the extent of its transferability can be assessed"
(Moon & Blackman, 2017). Researchers employ epistemology since it shapes how they
structure their research in their pursuit of knowledge (Moon & Blackman, 2017). The critical
awareness of ontological and epistemological presuppositions that researchers produce is
crucial in social science research as they support the methodology and research methods they
choose (Meem, 2020). For instance, the importance of epistemology and ontology can be
evident as parts of the social issue of transportation and mobility.
An ontological and epistemological approach to transportation and mobility within a
metropolitan clears the view of why people have issues with mobility in their city. Based on
3
their methodological findings, researchers can use quantitative and qualitative data. In
particular, the article,
The future of cities in the wake of the pandemic: What will change?
What should change?
discusses the COVID-19 pandemic concerning how individuals felt
unsafe walking on the sidewalk due to the lack of social distancing and space for it.
Additionally, it mentions how 60% of Toronto residents have to stay in a city that requires
them to be mobile and often face overcrowding in their residences (York University, 2021).
Furthermore, the article mentions how researchers are "trying to decipher the effect of the
pandemic on inequity in urban settings" (York University, 2021), which implies that these
researchers applied research methods to understand the ontological awareness for better
mobility and epistemological knowledge of the current transportation and mobility
conditions. The relationship between these two can reveal the underlying meaning of an
issue. In other words, the researchers' ontological and epistemological assumptions and
arguments should be guided and understood by their data collection, analysis, and
interpretation methods.
The critical awareness of ontological and epistemological premises can underpin one's
perspective and cognition of the world and its phenomena. Therefore, having a clear
philosophical research position enriches the methodologies used in a specific research area
(Meem, 2020). Ontology and epistemology are merely requirements for conducting social
science research. Data collection is always essential for research, including qualitative and
quantitative data. Nonetheless, the relationship between ontology and epistemology in
research leads researchers to ask more probing questions and comprehend specific social
issue findings.
3. Ideology Critique
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To start with, ideology is a set of beliefs or ideas that reflect one's worldview and is a
social and political philosophy in which practical and theoretical elements are prevalent.
Ideology can motivate individuals to comprehend and adopt certain beliefs, values, and
lifestyles for various personal, social, and cultural reasons (BC Open Textbooks, n.d.).
However, the study of ideology is dependent on the concept being studied, such as political,
media, philosophical, and so on. Ideology critique is an essential foundation for research and
studies of social events and issues in this social science course. A prime example of ideology
research is the study of poverty—employment precarity and household well-being.
Poverty as ideology illustrates how researchers' current methods of studying poverty
have shown to support the neoliberal ideology while ignoring the more significant practical
interests in social justice required to create equitable societies (BC Open Textbooks, n.d.).
This study can help researchers acknowledge the external and internal factors contributing to
poverty. Ideology influences how people think about situations including poverty, and it can
be seen in questions like, "Are the poor to blame for their poverty? Are they the ones who
made decisions?" The leading theory of how capitalism only benefits a small number of
people, and the majority must be convinced that the capitalist system is natural (BC Open
Textbooks, n.d.). To these questions, capitalist ideology typically responds by arguing that the
poor are personally responsible for their lifestyle, stating that poverty is not a result of the
capitalist system. As capitalism is the only economy that enables individuals to pursue their
interests, individualism is viewed as beneficial (Martin, 2018). Based on these two opposing
ideologies, studying one ideology regarding a specific topic may contrast with another.
Researchers can conclude from the study of ideology and its involvement in poverty that
ideology expresses individualism, a considerable social value (Martin, 2018).
Ultimately, interacting in ideology critique within specific social issues can reveal
facts omitted from the general public. Studies like the one presented here provide a new
5
perspective on recognizing poverty based on a thorough and reasonable critique of central
ideas, research techniques, and, most importantly, ideology. It challenges conventional
wisdom and provides an invaluable resource for those willing to learn about the social
sciences (Martin, 2018).
6
References
BC Open Textbooks. (n.d.).
Ideology – Media Studies 101
.
https://opentextbc.ca/mediastudies101/chapter/ideology/
Martin, A. (2018, 12 15).
Poverty as Ideology. Rescuing Social Justice from Global
Development Agendas
. Bergen Open Research Archive.
https://bora.uib.no/bora-xmlui/handle/1956/20614
Meem, M. I. (2020, June 19).
Importance of Epistemology and Ontology in Research Design
and Methodology
. LinkedIn.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/importance-epistemology-ontology-research-design-
mahabuba-islam-meem?trk=read_related_article-card_title
Miller, L. M., & Freeman, L. (n.d.).
We Need to Change How We Think About Gentrification
.
National Civic League.
https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/ncr-article/we-need-to-change-how-we-think-abo
ut-gentrification/
Moon, K., & Blackman, D. (2017, May 2).
A guide to ontology, epistemology, and
philosophical perspectives for interdisciplinary researchers
. Integration and
Implementation Insights.
https://i2insights.org/2017/05/02/philosophy-for-interdisciplinarity/
Tang, S. (2011).
Philosophy of the Social Sciences
. omni.
https://ocul-yor.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?context=PC&vid=01O
CUL_YOR:YOR_DEFAULT&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&tab=Everything&doci
d=cdi_proquest_journals_1928316353
Urban Displacement Project. (n.d.).
What Are Gentrification and Displacement – Urban
Displacement
.
https://www.urbandisplacement.org/about/what-are-gentrification-and-displacement/
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York University. (2021, March 4).
The future of cities in the wake of the pandemic: What will
change? What should change? – YFile
. YFile.
https://yfile.news.yorku.ca/2021/03/04/the-future-of-cities-in-the-wake-of-the-pande
mic-what-will-change-what-should-change/