For me, sociology is not merely the study of social structures and relationships. It is both an inner and outer journey—an attempt to understand the depth of human suffering, to uncover the hidden dimensions of domination, and to search for the possibilities of liberation. I come from a society where violence, discrimination, and denial are deeply woven into the warp and weft of everyday life—where the voices of the marginalized are often silenced in the uproar of global power struggles.
Yet these lived experiences of pain have not led me to isolation, but to deeper reflection on the meaning of existence and responsibility. I believe that sociology, if not infused with a human philosophy and a spiritual awareness, cannot fully grasp the reality of human pain. Suffering is not only a social phenomenon; it is also a sign of rupture in meaning, and of a disconnection between the self and the world.
From the mystical traditions of my culture, I have learned that knowledge without empathy is blind, and that science without love can easily become another tool of domination. For this reason, I see sociology as a spiritual act: a way of being present in the world with open eyes and an awakened heart. This approach enables me to look beyond data, to witness the pain, hope, and hidden beauty in people’s lives.
At the same time, this spiritual perspective does not distance me from critical thought—rather, it deepens my commitment to it. Combined with critical sociology, it compels me to unmask institutions, discourses, and mechanisms that reproduce injustice. My mission as a sociologist is to stand with truth—even if in exile, even if in the minority. I view research as a form of ethical action: an act of listening to silenced voices, exposing deceptive mirrors, and reclaiming hope.
Ultimately, my loyalty to sociology is a loyalty to humanity—to the wounded, the forgotten, the displaced—yet always, to the possible.
Sayed Nooroddin Alavi