Pareto
defined sociology by saying that it is that social science which studies irrational activities. For
studying these activities he brings in use rational experimental method. Those
activities which are rational, their study, Pareto says, is done by economics.
Whatever behaviours are out of the field of rational activities, they are
irrational and their study and only their study are done by sociology. Further
to this, Pareto says that irrational activities are made of derivatives and
residues. Going further when Pareto puts forward the theory of circulation of elites, he describes it
through the medium of residues and derivatives.
Description
of derivatives is when a person does his activities then society has some
expectation from those activities. When there is a difference the expectation
of the society and the person’s activities, then the person tries to present
the reasonableness of his activities. Presenting this reasonableness only is
derivatives.
There is a view point. A person does a tyrannous behaviour
towards his wife; if given an opportunity, lays hands upon her. Society’s
expectation is that he should not do such behaviour towards his wife. In such a
situation, he cites Tulsi Das. This
great poet has said, “Drum, boor,
scheduled caste and women are worth beating”. This is giving derivation of
one’s activity. On the other hand, a husband praises his wife with his full
might, gets her whatever she wants. In general language it is called “slave to the wife”. Society’s
expectation is that he should not bow himself so much before his wife. At the
most, he should treat her equally. But he says that god lives where women are
worshipped. Such saying is derivation. In derivation, person believes that
whatever he does, i.e., his feelings, emotions etc. are all backed by
rationality.
As is the process of Pareto’s theory building, like residue,
he tells the classes of derivatives also. There are four classes of
derivatives:
i. Assertions:
For manifesting his sentiments humans take the help of
assertions. He claims that whatever he has done is right. When he puts his
assertion he also gives the threat of power. He puts his saying in a high
pitched voice. Does up his fist and with all might, says his assertion to be
right.
ii. Authority:
When people accept the assertion from the rational point of
view then it becomes authority. One the society accepts that men have the right
to beat his wife, this right becomes the authority. In this, it happens that in
which field a person uses authority, his authority establishes in other fields
too. For e.g., education minister is considered to be a man of authority in
family planning too.
iii. Accord
with sentiments: These are
those derivatives which a person presents to prove the reasonableness of any
activity. Such kinds of derivatives are based on some feelings and activities
of those feelings are only considered to be appropriate.
iv. Verbal
proof: Such kind of
behaviour that has no relation then with the actuality is accepted on oral
saying. It includes false reasoning sophistry and double meaning talks which
are not in accordance with actual facts and they are used only for proving the
reasonableness of behaviour.
Pareto has
written a lot about residues and derivatives in Treatise. When he describes
derivatives, he also accepts that such reasons are not correct. These reasons
only misguide the society. Despite of this drawback, social interworking of
derivatives may not be ignored. Worldwide and especially in our country women
liberation movements are going on, a big battle of theirs is on the
controversies these derivatives only. On the death of husband wife becomes
widow while on the death of wife husband re-marries. This entire system is
based on derivatives. Many such viewpoints may be found in Epics, Upanishads and Brahmins which glorify widow life and
that is why widows are suffering. This is the wonder of derivation.
He has tied the complete
psychology in some important perceptions. For understanding Pareto’s theories,
it is important to understand his explanation of sociology. There are some key
concepts of this sociology: irrational
activities, rational activities; objectivity, individuality; residues and
derivatives. All these concepts are helpful in understanding Pareto’s
theories also.
Pareto’s
belief is that many derivatives are such that help in maintain unity in social
system. Bogaurds, describing
derivatives has said that whatever emotional or passionate behaviour humans do,
establishes their reasonableness through derivatives. Pareto has written a lot
about residues and derivatives in Treatise. When he describes derivatives, he
also accepts that such reasons are not correct.
Refer to
The Mind And Society-a Treatise On General Sociology by Vilfredo Pareto
Sociological Thought: From Comte to Sorokin_ Marx, Spencer, Pareto, Durkheim, Simmel, Weber, Mannheim by M Francis Abraham & John Henry Morgan
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