The History of Sociology

Learning Objectives

• Explain why sociology emerged when it did
• Describe how sociology became a separate academic discipline

Early Philosophical Influences

• Ancient philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, and Confucius set the stage for sociology.
• Topics like social conflict, economics, cohesion, and power were discussed centuries ago.
• Non-religious texts on social life were rare until recent history.

The Role of the Catholic Church

• From the 4th to 19th century, the Church was dominant in Europe.
• The Church's power led to biased records of social practices.

Contributions from Non-Western Thinkers

• Ma Tuan-Lin (13th century): Wrote about social dynamics in historical development.
• Ibn Khaldun (14th century): Developed theories on social conflict, economic structures, and social cohesion.

The Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution

• Enlightenment thinkers (Locke, Voltaire, Kant, Hobbes) sought social reform.
• The Industrial Revolution brought societal changes like urbanization and new employment forms.

Establishment of Sociology as a Discipline

Auguste Comte

• Coined "sociology" in 1838 based on positivism.
• Believed in using scientific methods to study society.

Harriet Martineau

• Translated Comte's works, analyzed social practices including women's rights.

Karl Marx

• Focused on class struggles and capitalism's inequalities.
• Predicted the rise of communism from capitalism's collapse.

Herbert Spencer

• Published the first sociology book title, influenced by Darwin's theories.

Georg Simmel

• Studied micro-level social interactions and cultural dynamics.

Émile Durkheim

• Formalized sociology as an academic discipline and emphasized social facts.

Max Weber

• Emphasized understanding sociology through cultural context and subjectivity.

American Sociologists and Social Theorists

W.E.B. Du Bois

• Used empirical methods to study African American communities.
• Fought for social and political equality for African Americans.

Thorstein Veblen

• Analyzed the economic structure and its social implications.

Jane Addams

• Established Hull House, advancing social research and reform.

Charles Horton Cooley

• Introduced the concept of "looking-glass self."

George Herbert Mead

• Focused on the development of self through social interaction.

Robert E. Park

• Developed social ecology, focusing on individuals' environments.