1. The Enlightenment Advocated rationality as a means for improving the world Advocated rationality as a means for improving the world Rejected traditional ideas which they saw as superstitious and tyrannicalRejected traditional ideas which they saw as superstitious and tyrannical Such as the Divine Right of Kings Such as the Divine Right of Kings Rejection of these traditional ideas are what led to both the American and French RevolutionsRejection of these traditional ideas are what led to both the American and French Revolutions

2. The French Revolution (1789- 1799)  Marked the end of Monarchical supremacy and the beginning of Democracy in France –These ideas later spread throughout Europe and the Americas –It was during this time that philosophers started thinking empirically about “society”

3. Auguste Comte (1798-1857)  “Father of Sociology”  Product of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution  Two main ideas –‘Law of 3 phases’ –‘positivism’

4. More Comte  The Law of 3 phases –that society has gone through three phases: Theological, Metaphysical, and Scientific  Positivism –An approach to improving the world through science  believe that there is little if any methodological difference between social science and natural sciences-all operate according to Laws and therefore can be mathematically examined in a value-neutral way

5. The Sociological Imagination  Phrase coined by C. Wright Mills  Refers to the ability to connect seemingly impersonal and remote historical forces to the most basic incidents of an individual’s life