Modern sociology is criticized for supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and other liberal programs.

It is crucial then to restate sociology’s quest to study the patterns, problems, and prospects of societies.

Humans are situated in contexts that include identity, relationships, groups, institutions, and societies.

Self-awareness—and personal freedom—depend on understanding those settings,

Last month, the Wall Street Journal published an article asking whether it is now time to “liquidate” sociology, the academic study of human societies. As many readers know, charges of this sort have become common recently. Conspicuous in this regard are the actions of the governor and legislature of Florida, which removed sociology as a core curriculum requirement in its state university system.

Sociology, some argue, has been the primary source for public commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It has championed rights for historically mistreated groups like racial and ethnic minorities, women, and gay people. According to detractors, sociologists are overly sensitive to the challenges faced by immigrants, the poor, people accused of crimes, and the disabled. The broader public, critics conclude, does not wish to be morally aroused in this way.

At a time like this, it’s important to explain why sociology remains important, not just as a legitimate focus of scientific investigation but as a key part of people’s general education. This is especially critical in a country like the United States, which tends to champion individual, even psychological, accounts of the human condition.

Many readers have taken sociology courses in school and have their own understandings of that discipline. The rest should know that sociology is the study of the patterns, problems, and prospects of human relationships. If sociology has a credo, it is that people are profoundly influenced, even defined, by their involvement with other people. Those social connections are of different kinds and exist at different levels of “social structure.” To be human is to be set amidst these contexts.

Although sociology is mostly a descriptive and explanatory science—What causes crime rates to go up and down? How do population movements affect city services? Why do so many of........

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