Sociology: Foundational Concepts and Influential Figures
Sociology: An Introduction
Sociology is dedicated to the study of society and its phenomena, including social action, social relations, and the groups that form them. It emerged in the 19th century. Auguste Comte coined the term in 1838 in his positivist philosophy course. He is considered the creator of positivism and sociology, examining institutions like family, work, school, and religion. Sociology’s objective is the study of social facts.
Auguste Comte (1798-1857)
- Referred to sociology as “social physics”.
- Believed order and progress are core values.
- Argued that scientists should be leaders.
- Advocated for positivist philosophy, emphasizing the experimental method and verification.
- Stated that understanding the individual requires knowing their history.
- Sought to predict in order to control.
- Proposed three stages of societal development: theological, metaphysical, and positive.
- Theological: Explores answers through divine beings.
- Metaphysical: Seeks answers in nature.
Herbert Spencer (1820-1903)
- Founder of the “organic theory”.
- Based his study on living organisms and Darwin’s theory.
- Made a major contribution with “an organic interpretation of society,” based on biology, differing from Comte.
- Believed a perfect society requires balance between the individual and the surrounding environment.
- Considered the state a necessary evil.
Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)
- Aimed to stabilize society through social science (sociology).
- Founded the “structural-functionalist” sociological current.
- Emphasized the importance of the social over the individual.
- Considered society as a more or less integrated whole; the structure requires analysis.
- Believed social facts should be treated as observable things.
- Identified two types of societies:
- Mechanical: Primitive, homogeneous societies with rudimentary division of labor.
- Organic: Modern industrial societies.
Max Weber (1864-1920)
- Based his study on the capitalist structure.
- Used the “ideal type” theoretical scheme as a research instrument.
- Defined the state as the entity where policy is developed, not as the producer; the central element is domination, and political activity is the slowing of power between different groups.
- Discussed axiomatic neutrality.
- Established a social action theory.
- Defined social action as any type of human conduct guided by the actions of others, which may be present or expected as future actions.
- Purposive Action: Steps to reach an end.
- Emotional Action: Guided by feelings and passions (love, hate, revenge, etc.).
- Value-Oriented Social Action: Takes into account ethical, religious, or aesthetic values.
Karl Marx (1818-1883)
- Wrote the “Communist Manifesto”.
- Discussed social classes: capitalist, feudal, slave.
Methodology
The Greek term refers to the research methods followed to achieve a range of objectives in science. Although the term can be applied to the arts, it’s necessary to make a more rigorous observation or analysis or to explain a way to interpret the artwork. In summary, all methods are governed by a scientific or doctrinal statement.
Method is the procedure to achieve the objectives, and methodology is the study of the method.
- The family is the epicenter of society or the country.
- Marriage is a social institution that creates a marriage bond between its members. This bond is recognized socially, either through legal provisions or customs.
- Science is the collection and testing prior to the development of methodology (or accidental) knowledge.
Historical Context
- English Civil War: 1642 to 1689
- French Revolution: 1789
- The Industrial Revolution is a historical period between the second half of the 18th century and the early 19th century.
- The term “conservative” was introduced by Chateaubriand in 1819.