Analysis Of The Sociological Imagination By Peter L. Wright Mills

Early sociologists debated what sociology consists of. Some, like Peter L. Berger, believed that it is a neutral science, that should disregard the sociologists’ values. Others, like C. Wright Mills, believed that it is a science that should aid people’s lives, that the sociologist must bring their-self with them onto the field, and the goal of having a desirable life consists of understanding how one’s own life connects with the facts of history. There are some similarities in what these sociologists believe sociology consists of including that it is used to change the society, and that it can be used to change society positively. In Invitation to Sociology Berger argues that sociology is a neutral and disciplined science. He makes his belief of sociology being a neutral science evident by stating “American sociologists …show more content…
Both of these beliefs are exhibited in Mill’s general idea of “sociological imagination”. He believes that ‘ordinary men’ need “to understand the larger historical scene in terms of its meaning for the inner life and the external career of a variety of individuals.” (Mills, 9) He believes that once men do this they will feel freed from things they originally felt trapped by, therefore making their lives better. They also must understand how their own personal troubles connect to public issues. He believes that larger world issues may be solved by using the sociological imagination such as war, marriage, economy, and ‘the problem of the city’ by looking at the larger picture to evaluate what kind of problem it is. Then to help individuals realize if it is them or the society creating the problem and how to come to peace with the problem either way. Mills disagrees that the self can be removed from sociology and that in order to make a positive change a sociologist must look at others lives