The Search for a "Savior" in Social Issues
After a deeply unsettling event shakes society, we often hear this call on social media:
“Let the sociologists come and fix society!”
This plea reveals a fundamental misconception about solving societal problems: as if a magical hand could come and restore everything to its original state. This mindset reflects a societal tendency to await a savior, distancing oneself from the process. Can society truly change with a single touch, or is transformation the result of a deeper, more complex process and collective effort?
To address these questions, we first need to examine the nature of sociology.
Sociology: The Mirror of Society
In the 19th century, during the transition from traditional to modern industrial society, crises prompted the emergence of a new discipline: Sociology. First articulated by Auguste Comte, this field examines society as an object of study and forms a scientific effort to understand it.
Sociology draws from numerous disciplines, including philosophy, anthropology, economics, and psychology, aiming to grasp social life in its entirety. Emile Durkheim described sociology as “the science of institutions, their genesis, and their functioning”, while Max Weber defined it as “a science concerned with interpretive understanding of social action and thereby with a causal explanation of its consequences”. In short, sociology is an interdisciplinary lens that seeks to understand social dynamics.
While sociology was once shaped by the quest for the “ideal society”, it has evolved into a more critical and analytical approach. Modern sociologists focus on understanding the reasons behind human behavior, the possibilities and consequences of such actions, and aim to use this knowledge to build a stronger future.
Social Engineering vs. Sociology: A Subtle Distinction
Social engineering refers to efforts to shape individual behavior, societal norms, and values toward a specific goal. However, this concept has been critically challenged by thinkers like Karl Popper, who argued that social engineering harbors dangers such as “utopian totalitarianism” and the suppression of individual freedoms. Such interventions conflict with the ethical responsibilities and scientific pursuits of sociologists.
History is rife with examples of such interventions: the Soviet Union’s attempts to create the “ideal Soviet citizen,” Nazi Germany’s propaganda methods, or China’s Cultural Revolution. These efforts sought to reshape society as though it were a laboratory experiment.
* Guernica, one of Picasso's most famous works, is undoubtedly his most powerful political statement, and was painted as an immediate response to the devastating and indiscriminate Nazi bombings of the Basque town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. This work has achieved monumental status, becoming a constant reminder of the tragedies of war, an anti-war symbol, and an example of peace.
Sociologists, on the other hand, strive to understand and analyze the functioning of social structures. The findings from their research are evaluated by policymakers, NGOs, the private sector, and academia. However, translating these findings into effective policies for social change requires collaboration between science and politics.
The Fallacy of Awaiting a Savior
Expecting external forces to resolve societal issues, instead of relying on individual and collective efforts, is a profound fallacy. Society is not a machine that can be fixed with a savior’s touch but rather a complex web of relationships among individuals and groups. Sociology provides a map to unravel this web; however, using the map is a shared responsibility.
Peter Berger, in describing sociologists, says:
“To be a sociologist is to be neither a heartless observer nor a propagandist.”
This statement underscores the sociologist’s mission of impartial analysis and emphasizes their role as a guide in understanding social change, rather than its primary actor. Sociologists present analyses of societal processes, but change is only possible through collective effort.
The resolution of societal problems cannot rest on a single discipline or leader. Transformation requires the unified action of all individuals and groups with shared awareness and responsibility. This process demands collaboration among various disciplines such as sociology, psychology, social psychology, political science, law, and communication to develop comprehensive and multidimensional solutions.
Author: Hakan Z.
References:
1. İÜ Sosyoloji, Sosyolojiye Giriş I
It’s a fascinating topic! The idea of looking for a savior when society faces deep crises is a natural instinct, but as you've pointed out, social change is rarely so simple. The complexity of society as a network of relationships makes it clear that change doesn’t come from a single individual or group but requires the collective effort of many.
Corporate Communications Manager | Communicator | Sociologist | MA in Mass Communication | Responsible Editor-in-Chief
8moNeuroscience Thank you for sharing my article. 🙏