If the reader will permit a sweeping generalisation to begin with, then let us say that philosophy is the intellectual search for how we should live, while sociology is the study of how we actually live. Philosophy tries to examine how we perceive reality, and considers concepts such as existence, morality, nature, truth and knowledge. Sociology looks at the social processes, interactions and rules that humans construct around them as members of groups, institutions and civilisations.

Both disciplines use logic and reason to answer the questions they ask. Philosophers often use ‘pure reason’ to solve matters, while sociologists are more likely to employ scientific methods and empirical evidence to come to their conclusions about phenomena such as social change, social inequality and globalisation.

Both are, however, primarily argumentative disciplines without any one correct answer, and as such, they provide rich fields for study, debate and thought, as well as offering any number of potential career directions.

Education

There are plenty of options for students interested in taking sociology or philosophy at degree level. You can choose to take a degree solely in Philosophy or Sociology, or study your chosen subject in conjunction with another subject such as Law, Theology, Classics, English, History, Economics, Political Science or Psychology. Philosophy and Sociology are also optional subjects on most general arts, media studies and social science programmes. You can also, of course, choose to take both Philosophy and Sociology together as part of a general arts course.

The subjects you may ponder on a Philosophy course include Ancient Philosophy, Eastern Philosophy, Modern Philosophy, Ethics, Aesthetics, Epistemology, Postmodernism and the Philosophy of Being. You will also encounter all the big names including Plato, Locke, Kant, Nietzsche and (Homer’s favourite) Wittgenstein.

A sample of the subjects you might choose on a Sociology course are Sociological Thought, Media and Society, Globalisation and its Discontents, Social Relations, Research Methods and Behavioural Sociology. Names to watch out for in Sociology include Comte, Marx, Weber and Durkheim.

Other similar social science subjects to consider include Cultural Studies, Humanities, European Studies and Social Studies.

Options After Qualification

The job titles ‘Philosopher’ and ‘Sociologist’ don’t appear too often in the wanted ads, and a degree in these areas is rarely vocational training for a particular career. The idea is to give a more general education that can prepare you for work in a wide range of areas including social research, teaching, the media, law, business, economics, community development, public relations and the civil service.

The Work

Professional philosophers are less common than their amateur or barstool equivalents. Those who do make their living from philosophy are generally attached to a university and must also teach and write as well as think for a living. Philosophy graduates also have plenty of other options; the lateral thinking, logic and reasoning skills you will learn should prove useful in most careers.

Those students who do go on to work as a sociologist will be primarily conducting research into social movements and processes and offering subsequent findings or recommendations. Sociologists might work for research institutes, universities, government bodies or NGOs, as well as increasingly for businesses and companies looking to better understand their markets and identify new customers.

Sociologists conduct research by asking questions, looking at trends and statistics, compiling data and suggesting policy changes or new directions. For example, they might look at the potential impact of a new housing development on a small village in Dublin’s commuter development, and design a plan to help the new residents’ integration with the existing community.

Another example could be examining lifestyle trends among young people in order to advise a business that is considering the launch of a new product, such as a soft drink or a clothing range. Another might be looking at the changes in Irish society over the last ten years and the effects of improved wealth and higher levels of immigration.

Personal Qualities & Work Environment

An inquiring mind is the first pre-requisite for success in either of these subjects. Good writing skills, an ability to argue coherently and no aversion to spending lots of time in the library are also very useful.

Sociologists can work in a variety of environments ranging from the office, to the library, to conducting door-to-door research surveys. Sociologists generally work office hours, depending on the individual role.

The Money

Sociological researchers with a good higher-level qualification can start out on around €28,000 a year, while philosophy lecturers might make up to €60,000 a year.

The Jargon

Empiricism: An approach to knowledge that emphasises the primacy of physical and statistical information over theories and ideas

Epistemology: a branch of philosophy that investigates the origin, nature, methods, and limits of human knowledge

Social Psychology: The study of how social conditions affect the psychology of the individual

Job Titles

Philosopher
Sociologist
Social Scientist

Further Resources

Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)
4 Burlington Road
Dublin 4
Phone: 01 667 1525
Web: www.esri.ie
Email: admin@esri.ie 

Sociological Association of Ireland
Dept of Sociology
University College Cork
Donovan’s Road
Cork
Phone: 021 490 2204
Web: www.sociology.ie
Email: sai@ucd.ie 

Focus Ireland
9-12 High Street
Christchurch
Dublin 8
Phone: 01 881 5900
Web: www.focusireland.ie 

The Philosophers’ Magazine
www.philosophersnet.com

Philosophy Pages
www.philosophypages.com

Philosophy Now
www.philosophynow.org