The Relationship between social sciences and nature was discussed at “Future Talks”

Üsküdar University’s Career Center organized an event titled “Future Talks: What Can Social Sciences Teach Us About Natural Sciences?” The guest speaker was Assoc. Prof. Alper Bilgili, faculty member in the Department of Sociology at Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

The event took place at the Socrates Hall, E Block of Üsküdar University’s South Campus, and attracted significant interest from students.

The event was moderated by Semra Gül, Sectoral Cooperation Specialist at the Career Center.

Sociology’s efforts to resemble the natural sciences were discussed

Assoc. Prof. Alper Bilgili addressed sociology’s identity quest in its early days as a scientific discipline and its efforts to resemble the natural sciences.

He emphasized that Durkheim’s “Suicide” is a valuable work in illustrating how sociology strives to become a science. Bilgili underlined sociology’s ongoing efforts to justify why it should exist and why it is an important field. He said that “Suicide is one of the most individual acts we know. It is so personal that someone may not even share their intent with their closest ones—often just leaving a note. Yet, social dynamics determine how many people will commit suicide. What makes Durkheim’s Suicide special is how it tries to convince us.”

Social sciences’ search for validation from natural sciences addressed

Assoc. Prof. Bilgili noted that the social sciences’ quest for validation from the natural sciences has caused tension in their journey toward establishing their own identity.

Bilgili also emphasized that the individuals who construct science are themselves part of the process, influenced by their own biases, passions, and desires.

The event concluded with a Q&A session, during which participants’ questions were addressed.

 

 

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)