فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
As part of the academic activities organized by the Sociology and Psychology Lab at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities in Fes, Professor Mohamed Ababo delivered a distinguished lecture on December 12, 2024. His talk focused on an essential issue in contemporary sociological thought: the renewal of sociological methodology to move beyond traditional binaries in sociological thinking, such as the “tradition vs. modernity” dichotomy.
This binary, which has dominated sociological studies in the Arab world for decades, often reduces Arab and Islamic societies to a traditional mold, far removed from modernity. This has significantly impacted the way societies and their issues are understood. Ababo emphasized that it is time to move beyond this one-dimensional view towards a more open and flexible thinking approach that reflects societal and intellectual diversity.
In this context, Ababo stressed the need to revisit Arab and Moroccan sociological heritage. He argued that understanding this heritage correctly requires not merely reproducing it but renewing it in line with contemporary societal transformations.
He pointed out that the foundations laid by Paul Bascon at the inception of Moroccan sociology remain pivotal. Bascon’s reliance on fieldwork and empirical investigation as key tools for testing scientific hypotheses continues to serve as the cornerstone of sociological research. According to Ababo, the fieldwork—through its real-life experiences—is the space where researchers build their scientific knowledge, making it indispensable in any sociological study.
Ababo also discussed the importance of moving beyond the inherited dichotomy that divides Arab societies into traditional and modern ones, which limits the sociological ability to understand the reality and developments of these societies. He clarified that contemporary sociology needs independent thinking, free from stereotypical notions that depict Arab societies as “backward” or “incapable of adapting to modernity.” Such a narrow vision remains a barrier to the scientific understanding of social realities in the region.
Additionally, Ababo highlighted the importance of ethnographic methodology, which seeks to study daily life by directly interacting with reality. He argued that this methodology plays a crucial role in deepening the understanding of the social and cultural patterns that shape society. Ababo believes that ethnography is the most effective tool for comprehending social phenomena in their depth, far from preconceived notions or superficial interpretations.
In his lecture, Ababo emphasized that renewing sociological methodology is not only about advancing research tools but is a scientific necessity to provide realistic solutions to the social problems faced by Arab societies. He concluded by stating that sociological knowledge must remain closely tied to social reality, and researchers should view their field as a vibrant, fertile ground that allows them to formulate new scientific hypotheses, contributing to a deeper understanding of societal challenges.
source : fesnews media
