Transcript The 1st Sociologists!

The 1st Sociologists!
Development of Sociology
– Emerged in 19th Century
Europe
• Industrial Revolution- faced new
problems such as colonization,
migration, poverty, increased
crime, broken families, exploited
factory
Auguste Comte
– “Father of Sociology”
– 1789-1857; French
– Beliefs
• Set out to develop a “science of
man”
• Goal of this was to use natural
sciences to solve social problems
• Looked as sociology as a tool to
improve society
Two main things sociology
should focus on
– social statics- how
institutions are
interrelated- order,
stability, harmony
Social dynamics- how societies change
and develop over time until perfection
is reached. Perfection = “modern”
Europe
Karl Marx
–
–
1818-1883; German
Not really a sociologist but his theories
lead to major theory
• Beliefs
– Social class conflict defined human
history
» The bourgeoisie (own and control
means of production, also known
as capitalists) vs. the proletariat
(workers).
» The exploiters vs. the exploited
» “opium of the people” = religion
– Capitalists use control of economy to
control all aspects of society.
» This allows capitalist to create
common beliefs to get workers to
accept their situation.
» Eventually this conflict would lead
to class warfare
» Proletariats would win and
socialize means of production
» Would lead to classless society
with no ownership, work based on
ability
Emile Durkheim
–
–
–
1858-1917; French
Conducted 1st major scientific
sociological study
Beliefs
•
•
Individuals are the product of their
environment
Society shapes individuals behavior
•
Did an extensive study on reasons
people commit suicide
– Proposed a theory that stated that
suicide rates are influenced by group
solidarity and societal stability
(individualism increases potential)
» Egoistic
» Altruistic
» Anomic
– Study showed that most personal
decision was actually influenced by
societal forces
•
•
Discovered that Protestants
were more likely to commit
suicide.
Ideas led to Functionalism.
Max Weber
–
–
–
1864-1920; German intellectual
Much of his work was a response to
Marx
Weber- intellectuals should
describe and explain truth
• Marx- also tell people what to do
– Beliefs
• Wealth does not necessarily
mean power & prestige
• Protestant ethic
• Science would eventually turn
people from religion
• However, bureaucracy would be
present in socialist and capitalist
societies
Sometimes Marx is right…..
Sometimes you have to fight….