Social Theory

SOCIAL THEORY

by Antonio C. Antonio

January 5, 2015

Social Theory is a collective reference to different explanations of why humans behave the way they do under certain conditions.   Social Theories are also defined as frameworks of empirical evidence used to study and interpret social phenomena.  Social scientists use social theories as tools to relate to historical debates over the most valid and reliable methodologies (therefore: positivism and anti-positivism) as well as the primacy of either structure or agency.  It might be a good exercise to fit a description to the following key words related to Social Theory:

• Social Interactions – What humans do among themselves.
• Social Arrangements – How humans function in relation to each other.
• Social Order – How humans organize themselves.
• Social Standing – A location a human occupies in a specific group.

These key words are always described to be “human” situations, actions and interactions, and structures.

“Environmental science is a multidisciplinary academic field that integrates physical, biological and information sciences to the study of the environment, and the solutions to environmental problems.  Environmental science is a discipline that attempts to understand and explain environmental issues and tries to find solutions to problems caused by the interaction of human society with the natural world.  It is a composite science that draws knowledge from the natural sciences and the social sciences such as economics, political science and sociology.” (Antonio, 2015)

A more common question is why does the study of the environment and natural resources have to include human studies… therefore: social studies?  Social sciences (economics, political science and sociology) are part and parcel to the study of the environment and natural resources.  And in Environmental Science, being a multidisciplinary field, one cannot do away with Social Sciences and Social Theory.

Just my little thoughts…

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