An individualistic argument can be made that sociology is a “useless” subject, though such a claim is controversial and widely disputed. Here is how such an argument might be constructed from an individualistic or methodological individualist perspective:
Individualistic Argument Against the Usefulness of Sociology
Thesis:
Sociology
is a largely useless discipline because it focuses on abstract
collectivist constructs (“society”,
“class”,
“culture”)
rather than the concrete decisions, actions, and responsibilities of
individuals.
1. Individuals Act, Not Groups
Sociology often explains social outcomes by appealing to group identities—such as class, race, gender, or institutions—while neglecting the role of personal agency and responsibility. From an individualist point of view:
Only individuals can think, choose, and act.
Almost all human progress has been made by individuals rather than collectives. This includes advances in science, art, music, literature and philosophy.
“Society” is a label for a collection of individuals, not an agent with independent will.
Therefore, explanations of behaviour must be reducible to individual intentions and actions.
2. Overemphasis on Social Determinism
Sociologists often argue that individual choices are determined or strongly shaped by social structures—upbringing, class, norms, etc.—undermining moral agency and responsibility. For individualists, this is:
Disempowering: it encourages people to see themselves as victims of circumstance.
Ethically corrosive: it can be used to excuse immoral or criminal behaviour by blaming “society” instead of holding people accountable.
3. Vagueness and Unfalsifiability
Sociological claims are frequently:
Based on correlations, not causation.
Dependent on untestable assumptions about “systemic” or “structural” forces.
Prone to ideological bias, especially when sociology merges with activism (e.g., critical theory).
This makes the discipline unreliable by the standards of rigorous science or logic.
4. Lack of Practical Application
Compared to disciplines like economics, psychology, or political science:
Sociology offers fewer predictive models.
It produces little actionable knowledge for individuals seeking to understand or improve their own lives.
Much of its terminology is jargon-heavy and disconnected from everyday experience.
5. Ideological Capture
Sociology is often accused of being:
Dominated by leftist or collectivist ideologies.
Focused on identity politics and grievances rather than objective analysis.
More interested in moralizing or reshaping society than in dispassionately understanding it.
From an individualist viewpoint, this politicization renders it both untrustworthy and irrelevant.
Counterpoints (Briefly Noted)
Collective phenomena (e.g., norms, institutions) may not be reducible to individual actions alone.
Sociology has contributed to useful insights on social cohesion, inequality, and institutions.
Many individualists (e.g., libertarians) use sociological knowledge to argue against state intervention.
Conclusion
While sociology can offer insights, an individualist may argue it lacks utility because it prioritises collective abstractions over personal responsibility, agency, and verifiable knowledge. For those who see individuals—not systems—as the primary units of explanation and change, sociology appears both redundant and misleading.
