Urgensi rekonstruksi sosiologi bagi kajian cyber society

The rapid changes in information technology raise questions about the relevance of sociological theories in explaining the new reality of cyber society. At least, there are two important questions that must be answered by sociologists: first, what are the characteristics of cyber reality that become the new study area of sociology? Second, how should sociology been reconstructed to understand the new model of society in cyberspace? These questions will be explored through a meta-theory study. Meta-theory is intended to study the basic structre of sociological theory, especially in the form of reflective analysis of existing theories. One of itsmain concerns is determining the object of study in a particular discipline.Through meta-theory study, this research comes to two conclusions. First, virtual reality has different characters from real life. But, frequently, virtual reality is experienced by individuals like everyday life reality, or even more real than real reality. Through the characteristics of simulation, interaction, artificiality, immersion, telepresence, networked communication and anonymity, virtual reality is transformed into a part of everyday life that cannot be separated from human life. Second, facing this new reality, sociology must adjust its scientific construction. Reconstruction of sociology can be initiated by defining what are the objects of sociological studies regarding the issues of cyber society. Based on three paradigms of Ritzer, this study concludes that social fact, social definition and social behavior paradigms must be reinterpreted, especially in relation to the importance for sociological paradigms to include non-human aspects in its theoretical buildings.