What is Sociology - The development of sociological thinking

6 important questions on What is Sociology - The development of sociological thinking

Auguste Comte (1798-1857) believed that societies go through three broad stages.
Which three and what do they mean?

  • Theological stage.
    • Thinking was guided by religious ideas.
  • Metaphysical stage.
    • Going from supernatural to natural laws.
  • Positive stage.
    • Stage that encourages the application of scientific methods.

What can you tell about Auguste Comte?

  • Auguste Comte (1798-1857) invented the term 'sociology.'
  • Wanted to discover the 'laws' of the social world, by using a mimilar logic and scientific method as the natural sciences.
  • Wanted sociology to be a positive science.
  • His contribution in founding a science of society was important in later development of sociology as a legitimate academic discipline.

Max Weber (1864-1920) argued that sociologists should study social action.
What is social action?

  • Subjectively meaningful actions of people that are oriented towards others.
  • Sociologists should understand the meaning behind those actions.
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There are three broad sociological traditions.
Which ones?

  • Functionalism.
  • Conflict theory,
  • 'Interactionist' approaches.

What is the core value of the sociological theory called 'Functionalism' and to which Sociologist do we attribute this theory??'

  • Society consists of various parts, sometimes called institutions, that work together to produce stability.
    • Sociology should investigate the relationships between those parts.
  • Functionalism is associated with Emile Durkheim (1858-1917).
    • Suicide: A Study in Sociology (1897).

What is the core value of the sociological theory called 'Functionalism' and to which Sociologist do we attribute this theory??'

  • Society consists of various parts, sometimes called institutions, that work together to produce stability.
    • Sociology should investigate the relationships between those parts.
  • Functionalism is associated with Emile Durkheim (1858-1917).
    • Suicide: A Study in Sociology (1897).

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