Psychology in India, Volume 2

1

Understanding the Social World: Issues and Challenges*

Purnima Singh

INTRODUCTION

The diversity and continuous mutability of the social world has intrigued social philosophers, socio-religious preachers, social scientists, and even laypersons since time immemorial. In their own way, all of them have contemplated as well as attempted to make sense of the multitude of stimuli emanating from the social milieu. It is indeed a big challenge to unravel the intricate relationship between the innate bond, dynamic influx, and constant interaction of human beings with society, these factors being the bases of all social knowledge. Our understanding of the social world is primarily influenced by our Weltanschauung (world view), which in turn is influenced ...