I have spent the past 10 years of my life learning about sociology (three years as an undergraduate major and seven years in grad school). Imagine my surprise, then, when I read this and realized that if I had wanted to know about sociology all I had to do was read a few things by Comte. This essay (diatribe? rant?) argues (and by “argues,” I mean “states,” like a less inflammatory Ann Coulter) that the goal of (presumably modern) sociology was stated by Comte over 150 years ago as “the entire systematisation of human life on the basis of the preponderance of the heart over the intellect.”
She goes on to explain:
That’s it! That is basis for the whole sociological dictatorship. Suggest problems for emotional involvement and demand the intellect devise social solutions. It can turn any personal problem into a social problem, a social problem into a national problem, and a national problem into an international problem belonging to all humanity. Social science treats life as a series of problems for ‘society’ or united ‘Humanity’ to solve. When all the problems the social scientists can concoct from any part of the world become social problems for the WORld Management System (WORMS) to solve, the sociological dictatorship will be complete.
I’m sure that you can also imagine my surprise at discovering after 10 years that I am supposed to be working toward the completion of a sociological dictatorship! If we are to be successful in this pursuit we need to do a better job of letting grad students know. After all,
Sociology and other “social sciences” are required courses for many careers so students who become community organizers, reporters, politicos, lawyers, teachers, etc., etc., are thoroughly indoctrinated before they begin work.
We’ve been controlling all of these people without even knowing it, so imagine how much more effective we will be when we actually put our minds to it!
I recommend reading the entire thing If you’re ever in need of a good laugh.
Memoirs of a SLACer 