These terrible sociologists, who are the astrologers and alchemists of our twentieth century

These terrible sociologists, who are the astrologers and alchemists of our twentieth century

Miguel de Unamuno, a prominent Spanish philosopher and writer, was known for his critical views on various aspects of society, including the field of sociology. In his work, Unamuno often expressed skepticism towards the social sciences, particularly sociology, which he believed to be akin to astrology and alchemy.

Unamuno's comparison of sociologists to astrologers and alchemists of the twentieth century reflects his belief that these disciplines are based on speculative and unscientific principles. Just as astrologers claim to predict the future based on the positions of celestial bodies, and alchemists sought to transform base metals into gold, Unamuno saw sociologists as attempting to make grandiose claims about human behavior and society without solid empirical evidence.

Unamuno's criticism of sociology can be seen as a rejection of the positivist approach to social science, which seeks to apply the methods of the natural sciences to the study of society. He believed that human behavior and social phenomena were too complex and unpredictable to be reduced to simple laws and generalizations. Instead, Unamuno emphasized the importance of individual experience, emotion, and existential struggle in understanding human nature.

Unamuno's views on sociology can also be understood in the context of his broader philosophical concerns. As an existentialist thinker, he was deeply interested in the individual's search for meaning and authenticity in a world that often seemed chaotic and absurd. In this light, Unamuno may have seen sociology as a misguided attempt to impose order and predictability on a fundamentally unpredictable and mysterious human existence.

Overall, Unamuno's comparison of sociologists to astrologers and alchemists can be seen as a critique of the hubris and arrogance of those who claim to have all the answers about human behavior and society. By challenging the validity of sociology as a science, Unamuno invites us to embrace uncertainty and complexity in our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.