{"id":73118,"date":"2022-07-15T12:02:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-15T16:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=73118"},"modified":"2022-07-27T09:25:21","modified_gmt":"2022-07-27T13:25:21","slug":"abstracted-empiricism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/abstracted-empiricism\/","title":{"rendered":"Abstracted Empiricism: The Benefits and Flaws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Is abstracted empiricism a constructive approach to social science? What are its flaws?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In The Sociological Imagination<\/em>, C. Wright Mills contends that not all ways of doing social science are equal. He believes that his way (sociological imagination) is the only one that serves the main purpose of social science\u2014preserving freedom. He offers a critique of other approaches, especially abstracted empiricism, asserting that they fail to protect a free and open society in the way sociological imagination does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading for Mills’s evaluation of abstracted empiricism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Abstracted Empiricism<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mills acknowledges that the negative impact of grand theory<\/a> is relatively low compared to the main target of his criticism: an approach he calls \u201cabstracted empiricism<\/strong>.\u201d This approach doesn\u2019t attempt to place social science work in the context of people\u2019s lives or major social problems\u2014Mills explains that this is what makes it \u201cabstracted.\u201d Instead, it focuses entirely on \u201cempirical evidence\u201d: data and observations gained primarily through methods like surveys, opinion polls, and interviews<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: For an example of the methodology and theory behind abstracted empiricism, we can look to one of the social scientists Mills criticizes: sociologist Paul Lazarsfeld. Lazarsfeld conducted some of the first-ever market research, and refined the use of focus groups in empirical studies.<\/a> <\/strong>He also wrote Mathematical Thinking in the Social Sciences<\/em><\/a>, a guide for using statistics in social science, and several famous studies based heavily on empirical data. Lazarsfeld suggested that the work of sociologists was primarily based on developing new methods of research, and that they could act as a bridge between theoretical social philosophy and data-based research.<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abstract empiricists believe that social science based entirely on empirical evidence has two main benefits: provability and practicality.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefit #1: Provability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Using empirical evidence, an abstract empiricist can systematically observe, test, and measure a specific hypothesis. They believe that this high burden of proof ensures that they base their arguments on real, observable reality instead of theories or speculations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example: An abstract empiricist surveys Joe and other people like him about happiness in their marriages. Then, if they claim that Americans are or are not happy in their marriages, they have concrete data to back up this claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Most scholars agree that the desire for provability in social science comes from modernism: a 20th-century philosophical movement that argued that reason, science, and technology could \u201cprogress\u201d and improve society<\/a>. From a modernist perspective, a more rational work of social science would be more beneficial to society\u2014while more theoretical and abstract work would distract from or even slow down social progress.)   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefit #2: Practicality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abstract empiricists argue that social science based entirely on empirical evidence is practical: It maintains a reasonable scope.<\/strong> They claim that any attempt to make a broad claim about society fails to recognize the enormous number of factors involved in large-scale societal problems. By using only empirical evidence, abstract empiricists focus on specific questions that they actually can<\/em> answer. Abstract empiricists note that, while individual works of social science can\u2019t determine larger social truths, accruing enough data over time will eventually allow social scientists to combine this data and definitively prove some larger social reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example: An abstract empiricist doesn\u2019t ask, \u201cWhy do half of all American marriages end in divorce?\u201d because answering that question requires the impossible task of accounting for every factor involved in American divorces. Instead, they might ask, \u201cWhich demographics in a particular region have the highest divorce rates?\u201d Then they would interview Joe and others like him to get data that answers this question. In theory, data on who<\/em> gets divorced could later help social scientists determine why<\/em> people get divorced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: While Mills talks about practicality as the ability to answer<\/em> a question, many social scientists suggest that for large-scale problems, it\u2019s often hard to know what question to ask<\/em><\/a>. For problems that involve many factors, there isn\u2019t a clear place where a social scientist should start their research. Abstracted empiricism limits its scope to avoid this issue\u2014other social scientists suggest that asking the right question<\/a> is often a matter of challenging deep-seated existing assumptions or studying specific unexplained events. Example: An economist might examine the 2008 financial crisis\u2014and then notice the major problem that existing statistical models can\u2019t predict similar financial meltdowns<\/a>.)  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flaws of Abstracted Empiricism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mills explains that the flaws of abstracted empiricism are the two main assumptions built into the approach: the definitions of \u201cprovability\u201d and \u201cpracticality.\u201d<\/strong> He argues that these definitions are narrow and flawed to the point where abstracted empiricism can\u2019t create social science that preserves freedom\u2014and sometimes creates social science that harms <\/em>freedom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this section, we\u2019ll explore the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. The flaws in the definition of \u201cprovability\u201d<\/li>
  2. The flaws in the definition of \u201cpracticality\u201d<\/li>
  3. How abstracted empiricism threatens freedom<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The Flaws of \u201cProvability\u201d<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Mills explains that abstracted empiricism uses a definition of \u201cprovability\u201d that doesn\u2019t properly apply to the social sciences.<\/strong> Abstracted empiricism attempts to use the scientific method to \u201cprove\u201d a claim, measuring and observing to study a hypothesis to determine if it\u2019s correct or incorrect. But the social sciences don\u2019t just deal with correct and incorrect\u2014they also study competing values and beliefs. In such a circumstance, there is no simple \u201ccorrect\u201d or \u201cincorrect,\u201d therefore, the scientific method doesn\u2019t actually \u201cprove\u201d anything. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: An abstract empiricist studies happiness in American marriages. During this survey, they ask Joe, \u201cAre you happy in your marriage?\u201d and Joe answers, \u201cYes.\u201d However, there are competing values behind Joe\u2019s answer\u2014on a personal level, Joe is deeply unsatisfied with his marriage. But, his society teaches him that he should get married at a young age and commit to this marriage. A survey misses the context of these conflicting values\u2014personal satisfaction and societal obligation\u2014and therefore fails to grasp whether or not Joe is actually<\/em> happy in his marriage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Provability and the History of Economics<\/strong>

    Some scholars suggest that bias towards quantifiable, \u201cprovable\u201d social science explains why economics is the social science with the most social and political clout.<\/a> They explain that economists began to rely heavily on mathematics as a way to mimic the natural sciences\u2014an approach that made people view their discipline as the most \u201cprovable\u201d (and therefore most useful) social science.

    However, the pursuit of provability led to flaws in their work. For example,     economists assumed for decades that people generally made rational economic decisions<\/a>. This way, they believed their rational methods could also predict human behavior\u2014people will generally act in their rational economic self-interest. However, psychological research eventually proved that people often make irrational economic decisions\u2014exposing a major flaw in economics that resulted from the pursuit of provability.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    What Versus Why<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    Mills explains that reliance on the scientific method means that abstracted empiricism can find out what<\/em> is true but not why<\/em> it\u2019s true. \u201cWhy\u201d requires a broader understanding of personal and historical circumstances, and is therefore beyond the scientific method\u2014and beyond abstracted empiricism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: An abstract empiricist needs to understand Joe\u2019s life experiences to grasp why<\/em> he is personally unsatisfied in his marriage. They also need to understand the history of America to grasp why<\/em> Joe might feel socially obligated to stay in his marriage. Data and observations alone can\u2019t explain either of these\u2014because of this, the abstract empiricist can\u2019t understand why<\/em> Joe says he\u2019s happy in his marriage on a survey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Process of Asking \u201cWhy\u201d<\/strong>

    You might be wondering what it means on a practical level to ask \u201cwhy\u201d in a work of social science. Some scholars define this as the practice of developing theory, and outline three main steps for doing so:<\/a>

    1) Find an interesting occurrence: <\/strong>During observations of empirical evidence and real-world examples, look for some kind of pattern, peculiarity, or occurrence that you can\u2019t easily explain. For instance, a political theorist might examine different existing governments and notice that states with larger legislatures have fewer wars.

    2) Consult existing scholarship: <\/strong>Then, search existing academic works for other views and perspectives on the same occurrence. If there are none, consult works on similar topics. For instance, the political theorist reads an article suggesting states with larger legislatures have fewer wars because the people hold greater accountability over their individual representatives.

    3) Craft an explanation: <\/strong>Combine multiple perspectives or try to explain potential gaps or flaws in the existing scholarship. For example, the political scientist suggests that states with large legislatures only have fewer wars if they also have high levels of political participation\u2014otherwise, the people don\u2019t hold their representatives accountable. <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The Flaws of \u201cPracticality\u201d<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Mills argues that abstracted empiricism uses a definition of practicality that\u2019s biased toward circumstances specific to abstract empiricist research. This bias means that the abstract empiricist\u2019s definition of practicality isn\u2019t an objective<\/em> standard for judging social science\u2014it\u2019s just a judgment of what\u2019s better for <\/strong>them<\/em><\/strong>.<\/strong> Understanding why this is the case requires understanding how social scientists use abstract empiricism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    (Shortform note: While Mills mainly discusses the bias inherent in the modern definition of practicality, other critics of \u201cpractical\u201d work cite the history of philosophy in their arguments. Specifically, they reference the fact that \u201cpractical\u201d scientific methods originate from theory-heavy works<\/a>. Philosophers like Aristotle<\/a> and Ren\u00e9 Descartes<\/a> both argued for empirical, rational methods in their work\u2014arguments that influenced great scientists like Isaac Newton<\/a>. This suggests that theory-heavy work is important for determining what practicality is and why and how it\u2019s useful\u2013something that Mills himself does here.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Using Abstracted Empiricism<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    Mills claims that abstract empiricists actually<\/em> define \u201cpractical\u201d social science as the social science that is beneficial to a political, military, or economic institution. <\/strong>Abstracted empiricism requires much more funding compared to other social science due to its reliance on surveys, studies, and interviews. As a result, it\u2019s mostly used by powerful political, military, or corporate institutions. Mills explains that the governments and corporations that hire abstract empiricists demand tangible results for the money they spend on social science\u2014and that a demand for results informs abstracted empiricism\u2019s definition of practicality.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    (Shortform note: For an example of how institutions inform the definition of practicality, you can look to the rapidly expanding field of UX (user experience) research. A UX researcher works for a company and conducts surveys, interviews, and polls to determine how users experience that company\u2019s products.<\/a> Using this job as a reference, it\u2019s easier to understand abstracted empiricism\u2019s definition of practicality: A UX researcher doesn\u2019t try to answer broader questions about their product or company and its place in society\u2014answering those questions doesn’t make the company more profitable. Instead, UX researchers just focus on specific empirical data their employer can use to improve products and increase profits.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Abstracted Empiricism and Threats to Freedom<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    These flawed conceptions of provability and practicality contribute to Mills\u2019s main criticism of abstracted empiricism: Not only does it<\/strong> fail to <\/strong>preserve <\/em><\/strong>freedom<\/strong> (his stated goal of social science<\/a>), it actively <\/strong>threatens <\/em><\/strong>a free society.<\/strong> Let\u2019s examine each part of this claim in detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Fails to Preserve Freedom<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    Abstracted empiricism fails to meet all three standards of Mill’s definition of freedom:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1) Understand: <\/strong>Abstracted empiricism can\u2019t help individuals understand the connection between their lives and major social problems. Its methods can\u2019t answer why<\/em> one impacts the other, and can\u2019t take a wide enough scope to study larger social problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2) Debate:<\/strong> Abstracted empiricism doesn\u2019t invite further debate on social problems\u2014it can\u2019t suggest why<\/em> these problems occur, or why<\/em> a potential solution might fix them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3) Decide: <\/strong>People who don\u2019t understand major social problems or how to debate them will tend toward political apathy rather than social or political action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    (Shortform note: While Mills argues that abstracted empiricism doesn\u2019t inspire understanding, debate, and political action, others suggest that empirical studies can and do inform the decisions of policymakers<\/a>. Proponents of empirical studies might suggest that this means their work preserves freedom: It helps policymakers understand social problems, debate potential solutions, and make a decision<\/a> that they think will benefit society. On the other hand, Mills argues that this is merely social scientists working on behalf<\/em> of governments, rather than on behalf of their people. The difference comes from how these social scientists see governments: Pro-empiricists see them as potential allies, while Mills sees them as potential threats.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Actively Threatens Freedom<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    Mills argues that abstracted empiricism doesn\u2019t just fail to preserve freedom\u2014it actively threatens freedom by creating non-ideological and amoral social scientists<\/strong> that work on behalf of powerful political, military, and economic institutions. <\/strong>Abstracted empiricism doesn\u2019t train social scientists to examine the impact that such institutions have on people\u2019s lives. <\/strong>Doing so is beyond the scope of their methods\u2014abstracted empiricism cannot ask why<\/em>. This means that abstract empiricists won\u2019t recognize if their research benefits an institution that is unethical or actively challenges freedom. They create social science that doesn\u2019t take a moral or ideological stand in favor of a free society\u2014to them, it\u2019s just a job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    (Shortform note: While Mills suggests that amoral abstract empiricists could work directly<\/em> for major institutions, mounting evidence shows that social scientists often worked for major institutions indirectly without even realizing it<\/strong><\/a>. The CIA and Pentagon created and shaped entire fields of research through funding<\/a>\u2014funding that often came from fronts. While some social scientists did (and do<\/a>) work directly for the CIA or Pentagon<\/a>, others unknowingly conducted research that benefitted these institutions<\/a>. This suggests that major social institutions didn\u2019t even need to \u201ccreate\u201d amoral social scientists like Mills suggests\u2014they just needed to subtly direct existing researchers.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Is abstracted empiricism a constructive approach to social science? What are its flaws? In The Sociological Imagination, C. Wright Mills contends that not all ways of doing social science are equal. He believes that his way (sociological imagination) is the only one that serves the main purpose of social science\u2014preserving freedom. He offers a critique of other approaches, especially abstracted empiricism, asserting that they fail to protect a free and open society in the way sociological imagination does. Keep reading for Mills’s evaluation of abstracted empiricism.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":73122,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,21,24],"tags":[692],"class_list":["post-73118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-philosophy","category-society","tag-the-sociological-imagination","","tg-column-two"],"yoast_head":"\nAbstracted Empiricism: The Benefits and Flaws - Shortform Books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In The Sociological Imagination, the main target of C. Wright Mills's criticism is abstracted empiricism. 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