Is god a mathematician

Document Type:Thesis

Subject Area:Social Work

Document 1

Sociology can be compared with the maths so that common ground is established, to determine what they share. Utilization of Maths in Sociology The utilization of maths to solve and clarify questions that arise in the society can be traced at least in the era of eighteenth-century when French philosopher deb Condorcet began exploring this direction. The philosopher worked on matters of probability, an aspect of mathematics as well as decision-making. Contemporary mathematical sociology, however, cropped in the last years of the 1940s (Homans, 2017). Sociologist began applying mathematical concepts in their sociology. Thus, the distinctions consider a more comprehensive survey done by Homans (2017) in which they differentiated between four various classes of models namely: a schismatic model for social processes, purposive actor models, models of structure and deterministic models for social processes.

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A unique characteristic of the present use of mathematics in sociology is that it is progressively challenging to distinguish or separate process, structure, and action. There has growing use of computer simulations since the last three decades as a substitute for mathematical models. Even though the difference is not continuously clear-cut, it reflects the distinction between experimentation and analytical solutions. Conventionally, a problem either social or otherwise is solved by applying a mathematical model for it and then offering a solution analytically. Partly because, the present high schools are reluctant in imparting mathematical skills, and they would rather enjoy teaching computer science, and the students prefer this. Several categorizations of mathematical sociology, comprising that of Chen, Ghosh, and Kearns (2016) focus on the utilization of mathematics in coming up with theoretical models of social phenomena.

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Although several mathematical sociologists are utilizing and sometimes even creating quantitative methods, they frequently expound evidently that the utilization of mathematics in sociology should not be compared with statistics. Practically, the difference between utilizing mathematics in theoretical and in statistical model creation is blurred. For instance, a linear regression model can sometimes be utilized as a theoretical model, even though this is hardly done. If the focus is on stochastic process, the future state may only be forecasted from the present with a likelihood factor. Deterministic processes are illustrated by difference equations. The major tool for illustrating stochastic processes is referred to as the stationary Markov process. In this process, the poisoning process and Brownian motion are variants. Differential equations are utilized in creating stochastic models and to determine or shape change in probability distributions (Smith-Lovin & Heise, 2016).

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Sociology usually has two camps in which the sociologists have a significant belief and support in the utilization of mathematical models. Some construct models that adhere to the idea that nature does not make any steps, while other sociologists support a dialectical or chaotic process (Smith-Lovin & Heise, 2016). In both scenarios, a better understanding of the history, statistics, and theory need to understand the social aspects, in turn, rely on having a better understanding of mathematics. An example of a mathematical model from sociology that can be evidenced in a society is Alfred Lotka’s predator-prey model. Predator-prey model portrays how crime increases in a community. As elaborated by Chen, Ghosh, and Kearns (2016), solutions for these kinds of equations can amount to consistent motion in a circle without reaching an equilibrium value, which could be likened to smooth operation of the society.

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Nonetheless, the possibility for such modeling is intensified. Considering the global economy, a nation applying global trade law can represent the policy variable, which will also equate to a social problem that needs a solution. Consumers, nations or agents could be the victims of this ordeal and could be involved in practices such as compromising international piracy of intellectual property rights. Mathematics has its own inherent advantage and aesthetic motivation. Thus, mathematics gives out the numerical and calculation segment of people's life and knowledge in a society. New knowledge, models, techniques, and manner of doing things insist to emerge and develop. Sociology and mathematics would find further a simple framework and good common ground to harmonize in terms of the application of the models related to the two fields.

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