"I admit that the eyes of the intellectually and culturally lively tend to glaze over at the mere mention of sociology, often with ample justification"
- Richard Wall
About this Quote
In this quote, Richard Wall provides a pointed review of sociology's existing standing amongst intellectually and culturally engaged individuals. By stating that such people' eyes "tend to glaze over" at the mention of sociology, Wall recommends that the discipline may frequently be perceived as unengaging or possibly doing not have the dynamism found in other disciplines. This response implicates a sense of boredom or absence of interest, suggesting that sociology might frequently stop working to catch the creativity or interest of those who are otherwise animated by intellectual and cultural pursuits.
Wall qualifies this response with "frequently with adequate validation," acknowledging that there might stand factors behind this indifference. Here, he might be recommending that sociology, as a field, might have specific limitations or shortcomings that justify this reaction. Maybe the ways in which sociology is often provided or practiced do not efficiently convey its potential significance or enjoyment, or the discipline struggles to compete with more instantly fascinating topics. This could review the approaches, subjects, and even the manner in which sociological findings are communicated to the general public, suggesting a gap in between the valuable insights sociology can offer and the basic understanding of its energy or appeal.
Implicit in Wall's declaration is an obstacle to the field of sociology itself: to reassess how it engages with wider audiences and how it interacts its insights. It suggests that there may be a need for sociology to develop in terms of its method or discussion, intending to more effectively capture the interest of those who are intellectually and culturally engaged. By acknowledging the discipline's existing reception while hinting at its prospective improvement, Wall opens the door for a constructive dialogue about how sociology can better fulfill its role in the intellectual and cultural spheres.
"When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said "Let us pray." We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land"