The Dead Sociologists Society

Auguste Comte ; was a French philosopher Considered the “Father of Sociology” Lived during the French Revolution – chaotic period so wanted to find solutions

Studying social behavior would lead to more rational human interactions Problems of order and change should be sociologists’ main concern Influenced by the scientific method

Believed a systematic investigation of behavior was needed to improve society Gave Sociology its name In the hierarchy of sciences, he placed Sociology on top Functionalist or Interactionist

Karl Marx 1818 – 1883; was a German philosopher Lived during the Industrial Revolution ( ) – people work in factories, feel a loss of control, feel dominated & exploited by others

Marx studied this class struggle & effects of capitalism Conflict theorist Rich (Bourgeoisie, Owner) vs. Poor (Proletariat, Worker) Overall structure of society is influenced by how economy is organized

Herbert Spencer – English philosopher Functionalist – he did not feel compelled to correct or improve society Most famous for applying Darwin’s theory of natural selection to people

“Survival of the fittest” – some people are poor and some are rich (called Social Darwinism) Societies are bound to change but this will happen gradually Social change and unrest were natural occurrences in society’s evolution toward stability

Emile Durkheim – French philosopher Researched suicide Studied suicide rates and how they varied from country to country Found suicide was related to group life

Studied the individual in the group setting - person who felt lack of cohesiveness in the group is more likely to commit suicide Suicide rates of a society reflect the extent to which people were or were not integrated into the group life of the society

DO NOT NEED TO COPY THIS Interesting stat: Durkheim found that there were higher rates of suicide in times of peace than in times of war and revolution…..why do you think this is???

Max Weber German To study behavior, we must learn the subjective meanings people attach to their actions – how they view and explain their own behavior Need to study people’s emotions, thoughts, beliefs, & attitudes

Ideal Type: construct a made- up model that serves as a measuring rod against which actual cases can be evaluated, the essential characteristic Try to see the world objectively VERSTEHEN – sociologist places himself in place of others & attempts to see things through their eyes

W.E.B. DuBois American Conflict theory Conducted research that he hoped would assist in the struggle for racial equality in society He drew on scientific principles to study social problems faced by blacks