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Man is a social being. He lives in a society.

For his successful living, he must


understand himself, his surroundings, and his relationship with his
surroundings. This relationship of man with other members and institutions of
society forms a great subject of study. This subject may be broadly termed as
‘Social Science’. In this Unit, we will understand in detail the meaning, nature, and
scope of Social Science.
Term came into existence after industrial revolution 1760. The term was first
used in 1837 by Comte. It was used as a near-synonym with the word ‘Sociology’.
“Social science is commonly used as an umbrella term to refer to a plurality of
fields outside of the natural sciences. These fields include Anthropology,
Archaeology, Economics, Geography, History, Linguistics, Political Science,
Sociology, and in certain context Psychology.”

Meaning and Definition


• As the name suggests it is the type of science or that branch of science
which deals with the study of the society, its institutions, constituents
and functions.
• Social Sciences constitute a broad field of knowledge and deal with human
beings in relation to their social behavior.
• Social Sciences study the concepts or issues like culture, tradition, life
styles, places and environment, power and authority, governance, economy,
civic sense, etc. which have social implications.
• Social sciences are the sciences which study human beings in relation to
their social system and institutions.
• Social sciences are basically concerned with human relationship. Study of
the nature of human society is the ultimate goal of all social sciences.
• Social Science is a generic term covering the scientific study of man. It is a
discipline or branch of science that deals with the socio-cultural aspects of
human behaviour.
• In its simplest form, social science is defined as the scientific study of
human society and social relationships.
• It is also described as a branch of science that deals with the institutions and
functioning of human society, and with the interpersonal relationships of
individuals as members of society.
• Webster’s Dictionary defines social science as a science (such as economics
or political science) dealing with a particular phase or aspect of human
society.
• European Science Foundation, which says that the social sciences are those
subjects that examine and explain human beings. This includes a variety
of ways like from understanding how minds work to how societies as a
whole function. The major social sciences are Anthropology, Archaeology,
Economics, Geography, History, Law, Linguistics, Politics, Psychology, and
Sociology.

The following points characterize the nature of social sciences:


1. Social sciences are basically concerned with human relationship. Study of the
nature of human society is the ultimate goal of all social sciences.
2. Social sciences study mostly the social issues, and social issues are always
more complex, more subjective and less verifiable than the issues of physical
sciences.
3. Concern for value attainment is an important tenet of social sciences.
Therefore, social scientists bother always for goodness or value of something that
they attain or deal with.
4. Social sciences are primarily interdisciplinary in nature. A concept or issue of
social sciences may not be confined to one discipline of social sciences, rather the
concept or the issue may be understood taking into account the perspectives of all
disciplines of social sciences...
5. Social sciences facilitate plurality in thinking in understanding an issue. Since
in social situation a single effect has numerous causes and a single cause has
numerous effects, so, social sciences facilitate multiple thinking referring to a
single issue.
6. Social sciences aim at making a sensitive, reflective and informed human
being.
7. It is as old as man himself: Though there was no formal and systematic study
of man and his relation to society since the ages, there always existed an activity of
man and he lived with the society. Besides, we have heard about Stone Age
civilization, Iron Age civilization, Indus Valley civilization, etc. It was only that the
use of the term ‘social science’ as we understand it today is comparatively new.
9. It is interdisciplinary: Social science is a combination of many subjects.
Hence, it is inherently interdisciplinary. Among the subjects of the study included
in social science, for example, it is difficult to study the historical contents of a
place without knowing about the people there or the sociology of the people
around the place. Political science and history are intrinsically related to today’s
politics is tomorrow’s history. History is linked to geography, for it is essential to
know the geography of the place for clarifying its historical content.
10. It is related to man and society: Any aspect of social science deals with man
and his progress, either in the past or in the present. Sociology includes the values
of the society, the various institutions in the society, while economics talks about
the finances and trade between people, and anthropology deals with the evolution
of man.
11. It is logical: It involves the study of the logic and methods of the social
sciences.
12. Unique combination of various subjects.
13. A study of man development through ages
14. Preparing learner for wholesome social living.
15. A realistic course of study: provides real life situation.

Scope
1. Vast and wide as a world.
2. Study of current affairs.
3. International and national understanding
4. Structure, responsibilities and function of social constituents.
5. Financial and political administration.
6. Awareness, accountability, sustainability.
7. Physical and social environment,
8. Management of resources.
9. Social welfare:
10.Development planning
11.Conflict resolving

Importance
• Social scientists help us imagine alternative futures;
• All round development of personality
• Developing awareness about the problem of society.
• Proving helpful in development projects of society.
• Development of values needed for democratic socialism and secularism
• Social science can help us make sense of our finances;
• Social scientists contribute to our health and well‐being;
• Social science might save our life by predicting and planning for a safe
environment
• Social science can make your neighbourhood safer;
• Social Science can improve our children’s lives and education;
• Social science can change the world for the better;
• Social science can broaden our horizons;
• Social science is needed to guarantee our democracy.
• It serves as the foundation of social development across the country.
• It acts as an agent of change, which transforms an individual to be an
effective citizen of the country.
• Develops awareness of the world and environment.
• Helps to develop critical thinking abilities.
• Helps to enhance the social understanding of students.
• Helps students to become better citizens.
• Helping in developing loyalty to society, nationality and international
understanding

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