Lecture 3 Development of Sociology & Early Theorists

Today we will focus on- Today we will focus on-  Theory & sociological thinking  Development of Sociological thinking: Social and intellectual forces  Early theorists & foundational sociologists

Theory, theoretical approaches & Sociological thinking Theory: Sociological Theory: Different and disagreement approaches on how to study human behavior or social world Theory Abstract interpretation of facts What are the Characteristics Why occur When occur How occur

Social forces: 1. French revolution:  The most immediate contributing factor occurred in 1789  Chaos and disorder invaded France  Need for peace & order in society  Comte, Durkheim, Parsons sought for new bases of social order Cont…

Development of Sociological Thinking 2. Industrial revolution:  Effects on many Western societies in the 19 th and early 20 th centuries.  Shift from agricultural to industrial system  Technological improvements  Emergence of capitalist economy  Karl marx, Max weber, Emile Durkheim were concerned to solve the arising problems of the societies. Cont….

Development of Sociological Thinking Intellectual forces: Enlightenment:  Period of intellectual development in 17 th century  Replacement of beliefs and rituals by reasons & empiricism  Influential theorists were French such as Charles Montesquieu ( ) and Jean Jacques Rousseau ( )

Early Theorists Early Theorists Auguste Comte ( ) Herbert Spencer ( ) Emile Durkheim ( ) Karl Marx ( ) Max Weber ( ) Auguste Comte ( ) Herbert Spencer ( ) Emile Durkheim ( ) Karl Marx ( ) Max Weber ( )

Auguste Comte ( ) Auguste Comte ( )

Auguste Comte ( )  Influenced by French revolution & enlightenment  Coined the term ‘Sociology’  Originally used ‘Social Physics’  Changed the term from ‘Social Physics’ to ‘Sociology’ in 1822 Cont…  Influenced by French revolution & enlightenment  Coined the term ‘Sociology’  Originally used ‘Social Physics’  Changed the term from ‘Social Physics’ to ‘Sociology’ in 1822 Cont…

Comte’s Sociological Thinking Comte’s Sociological Thinking

Comte’s laws of three stages: Theological: Supernatural powers and religious figures were at the root of everything Metaphysical: Natural powers were at the root of everything Positivist: Belief in science is everything

Herbert Spencer ( ) Herbert Spencer ( ) Spencer did not show interest in social reform Rather, he advocated evolution of society free of external control Adopted Darwinist view of ‘Survival for the fittest’ from Charles Darwin’s book ‘On the Origin of Species’ Social world will itself run progressively better. External influence only deteriorate the situation

Emile Durkheim ( )

Emile Durkheim ( ) Emile Durkheim ( ) Social facts: the way of acting, feeling, thinking that is external to individuals. Division of labor: Specilaization of tasks Anomie: a feeling of aimlessness or hopelessness Suicide: social fact guided by other social facts (social integration or regulation)

Karl Marx ( )

Karl Marx ( ) Karl Marx ( )  Polarization of society into two classes i.e. Bourgeoisie and proletariat  Labor theory of value and the exploitation of the laborer  Surplus value as the essence of capitalist system  Class struggles

Max Weber ( ) Max Weber ( ) Emphasized on the influence of ideas and values on social change Famous for using two words-  Verstehen: ‘Understanding’ or ‘insight’ to understand the social world  Ideal type: The conceptual models to understand the world