What Are Social Sciences?
Think of social sciences as detective work for understanding human society. These academic disciplines use scientific methods to figure out how people interact, form communities, and create the institutions that shape our daily lives.
The term "social sciences" emerged during the 18th century Age of Enlightenment when scholars started applying scientific methods to study society. Unlike natural sciences that examine rocks and plants, social sciences focus on human behavior and social patterns.
What makes social sciences unique? They use an empirical approach (collecting real data), follow systematic methods, aim for objectivity, and often work together across different disciplines. For example, in the Philippines, researchers study everything from family structures in different regions to how social media influences Filipino youth culture.
Key Point: Social sciences help us understand complex issues by examining them from multiple angles - just like how understanding poverty requires looking at economics, psychology, sociology, and politics all together.