According to the concept of sociological imagination, how should one view societal issues?

The concept of sociological imagination, coined by C. Wright Mills, emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between personal experiences and larger societal forces. By viewing societal issues as interconnected with individual lives, one can recognize how broader social structures, historical events, and cultural contexts influence personal circumstances and choices. This perspective allows individuals to see their private troubles as part of larger public issues, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities of social life.

Acknowledging this interconnectedness empowers individuals to situate their experiences within larger social patterns, leading to insights about systemic inequalities, institutional failures, and collective movements for change. This approach fosters a critical awareness of how not just individual lives but society as a whole is shaped by interrelated factors, emphasizing that social issues cannot simply be isolated nor treated as mere academic subjects divorced from reality.