Today’s Objective Identify the important people of sociology. Link their work to current sociological practice and methodology.

Auguste Comte considered the founder of sociology Proposed the idea of Positivism Applying the scientific method to the social world To understand human nature you must rid yourself of bias and focus on scientific fact alone.

Herbert Spencer Developed the concept of Social Darwinism Applies the social elements to Charles Darwin’s biological theory of “survival of the fittest” Says great societies will take over the weak to obtain the limited world resources and to spread their cultures

Karl Marx Studied the impact of class on social development Identifies poverty and wealth as a detriment to society Promotes socialism/communism (a classless economic and governing theory) to solve this problem of classes

W.E.B. Du’Bois Early civil rights leader Dedicated his life to studying race relations 1 st black man to earn a Harvard Ph. D.

Lewis Coser Studied the importance of conflict Conflict allows for flexibility in society (makes adaptation to new issues possible) Occurs most dramatically in close relationships “love is battlefield” ~Pat Benatar “all is fair in love and war”

Activity Rank the “people of sociology” in order from most to least important and justify your rankings. Using what you know about Social Darwinism, how might you DEFEND the actions of Hitler?