EARLY SOCIOLOGICAL THINKERS

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EARLY SOCIOLOGICAL THINKERS
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HOW DID IT BEGIN?

• In the mid nineteenth century, the world saw
  massive growth in industrialization and in turn
  urbanization. In turn, there were changes in
  working and living conditions.
• These changes led to the development of new
  social problems inadequate housing, crowding,
  unsanitary conditions, poverty, pollution and
  crime.
• With the development of the scientific method,
  social thinkers thought they might discover the
  laws of human behavior and apply these laws to
  solve these social problems.

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AUGUSTE COMPTE (1798-1857)

• Coined the term sociology from the latin socius
  (being with others) and the greek logos (study
  of).
• Social Statics theory- the overall structure of
  society remains stable over time.
• Social Dynamics- the idea that elements within
  society change to allow for social development.

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HARRIET MARTINEAU (1802-1876)

• Translated Comptes work.
• Analyzed the consequences of industrialism and
  capitalism.
• Payed special attention to social distinctions
  based on race, class, and gender.

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HERBERT SPENCER (1820-1903)

• Influenced by Charles Darwin and the idea of
  survival of the fittest.
• His theory became known as Social Darwinism.
• - Felt the fittest members of society would
  succeed and so he opposed social reform.

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EMILE DURKHEIM (1858-1917)

• Disagreed with Spencer.
• He stressed the science of sociology, using
  research to test his theories.
• Believed behavior cannot be understood in
  individual terms but only in a large social
  context.

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Karl Marx (economist/philosopher)

• Believed that class conflict was necessary for
  the betterment of society.
• Bourgeoisie- own the means of production.
• Proletariat- sell their labour to earn a
  livelihood.
• Alienation- a feeling of powerlessness and
  estrangement from other people and from oneself.