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The Origins of Sociology

The Origins of Sociology. The Origins of Sociology. Started in the late 1800’s Followed ideas developed during the French and Industrial Revolution Focused on the issues of society changing from one based on agricultural, to one of a community (city life), that required more defined order.

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The Origins of Sociology

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  1. The Origins of Sociology

  2. The Origins of Sociology • Started in the late 1800’s • Followed ideas developed during the French and Industrial Revolution • Focused on the issues of society changing from one based on agricultural, to one of a community (city life), that required more defined order.

  3. Auguste Comte (1798-1857 • French, recognized as the father of Sociology • Felt that if societies were to advance, then social behavior had to be studied. He wanted to use scientific observation in the study of social behavior, known as positivism.

  4. Auguste Comte (1798-1857) • He differentiated between social statics (the study of social stability and order) and social dynamics ( the study of social change) • His conclusion: Sociology could use scientific procedures to promote social progress.

  5. Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) • Went from riches to rags, and had to rely on writing ability in order to earn a living. • Famous for translating the works of Comte to English. • Established herself in the area of feminist theory.

  6. Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) • She saw a link between slavery and the oppression of women. Felt that women's lack of economics kept them dependent.

  7. Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) • English • To explain social stability, Spencer compared society to the human body. Like a body, society is composed of parts working together to promote its well-being and survival.

  8. Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) • People have brains, stomachs & nervous systems, while societies have governments, economies, religions, and families. Like the body these parts of society must work together, for a common good.

  9. Herbert Spencer(1820-1903) • He introduced the theory of “Social Darwinism”- the idea, that evolutionary social change led to progress- provided that people did not interfere. Based on the survival of the fittest. The poor deserve to be poor and the rich deserve to be rich. Society profits from allowing individuals to find their social class.

  10. Karl Marx (1818-1883) • German ( Not Russian) • Was concerned with poverty and inequality suffered by the working class of the capitalist system. He wanted to promote change, rather than study.

  11. Karl Marx (1818-1883) • He believed that society was dividing its self into two classes Bourgeoisie or Capitalist, the owners/controllers of wealth, and the proletariat (working class). This led to class conflict ( the on going struggle between the owners and working class)

  12. Karl Marx (1818-1883) • Just as slaves would overthrow slave owners, wage workers would overtake capitalist. • Out of this world come a classless society. Planned revolution could speed up the change from capitalism to communism.

  13. Emile Durkeheim (1858-1917) • French • Believed society exists because of broad consensus or agreement, among members of a society.

  14. Emile Durkheim cont… • In preindustrial times, societies based on what sociologists call mechanical solidarity (widespread consensus of values and beliefs, strong social pressure for conformity, and dependence on tradition and family)

  15. Emile Durkheim cont… • Organic Solidarity: industrial societies with social independency based on a web of highly specialized roles. These specialized roles make members of society dependent on one another for goods and services.

  16. Max Webber (1864-1920) • German • Wrote on the nature of power, religions of the world, nature of social classes, and the development and nature of bureaucracy. • Thought of human beings act on the basis of their own understanding of a situation.

  17. Max Webber cont… • Sociologists must discover the personal meanings, values, beliefs, and attitudes underlying human social behavior. • Believed that an understanding of the personal intentions of people in groups can be best accomplished through the method of verstehen.

  18. Max Webber cont… • Verstehen: understanding the social behavior of others by putting yourself mentally in their place • Rationalization: a key influence in the change from preindustrial to industrial society, the mind-set that emphasizes the use of knowledge, reason, and planning

  19. W.E.B. Dubois (1868-1963) • African American who learned of discrimination firsthand. He decided to deal with the racism issue, by analyzing the social structure of black communities. He did a great deal to address the mistreatment of people by race, through the application of sociological concepts.

  20. Jane Addams (1860-1935) • Social Worker and public activist who felt we have a civic responsibility to provide for those less fortunate. She opened Hull House in Chicago to aid the poor. She engaged immigrants and intellectuals in discussions of the problems of the day.

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