Who are the pioneers of sociology?

Answer 1

Auguste Comte-(1898-1857)He is considered as father of sociology. Comte was born at Montpellier, in France. He founded the philosophy of positivism, and originated a concept of social science known as sociology.

Comte sought to discover the laws that he believed governed the evolution of the mind. In his six-volume work, The Course of Positive Philosophy (1830-1842), he framed his "law of the three states." This law advanced the idea that people try to understand phenomena in three ways. Comte believed that people first seek a theological (supernatural) explanation; then a metaphysical (abstract) explanation; and finally a positive explanation. The positive explanation is derived from an objective examination of the phenomena. Comte believed that students should concern themselves only with phenomena that have an objective, "positive," existence. This belief forms a basis of positivism. He also has given importance to "social static and social Mobility" and cleared that changes of society can be understood on these basis. His contribution in field of Social reconstruction is related to social welfare of human beings ,which should be studied with social methods.

Comte regarded all social thought as an interrelated whole, the laws of which can be found by assembling what he considered the facts. His ideas have influenced students of historical and social theory, and of criminology, and such authors as Herbert Spencer and John Stuart Mill, who were seeking a "science of society."

Spencer, Herbert(1820-1903), was a British philosopher. He attempted to work out a comprehensive philosophy based on the scientific discoveries of his day. Spencer was greatly influenced by the English naturalist Charles Darwin. He applied his own and Darwin's fundamental law--the idea of evolution (gradual development)--to Biology, psychology, sociology, and other fields. Spencer's major works include First Principles (1862) and Principles of Ethics (1879-1893).

In his work, Spencer traced the development of life from its lowest recognizable form up to human beings. He believed that the great law of nature is the constant action of forces which tend to change all forms from the simple to the complex. He explained that the mind of human beings has developed in this way, advancing from the simple automatic responses of lower animals to the reasoning processes of human beings. According to him it(scope of sociology )should study family, religion social control, division of labor, politics etc.

Marx, Karl(1818-1883), was a German philosopher, social scientist, and professional revolutionary. Few writers have had such a great and lasting influence on the world. The main reason of social change is ,change in economic relationship. Due to clashing interests of both ,there is always clashing relationship between owner and labor,which brings change in society.

In sociology, Marx's work is also regarded with increasing respect. Without his contributions, sociology would not have developed into what it is today. Marx wrote on social classes, on the relationship between the economy and the state, and on the principles that underlie a political or economic system.

Many people still turn to Marx for an explanation of current social, economic, and political evils. But most of them are unlikely to agree with his view of the ease and speed with which the working class will overthrow the class system and set up a Communist classless society.

Emile Durkheim(1858-1917), was a French sociologist. His theories and writings helped establish the foundations of modern sociology. Durkheim disagreed with most social theorists of the late 1800's because they thought that individual psychology was the basis of sociology. Durkheim regarded sociology as the study of the society that surrounds and influences the individual. Durkheim explained his theories in his book The Rules of Sociological Method (1895). He says there is relationship between moral values and religious beliefs, which establishes unity in society.

In The Division of Labour (1893), Durkheim developed the theory that societies are bound together by two sources of unity. He called these sources mechanical solidarity and organic solidarity. Mechanical solidarity refers to similarities that many people in the society share, such as values and religious beliefs. Organic solidarity results from the division of labour into specialized jobs. Durkheim believed that the division of labour makes people depend on one another and thus helps create unity in a society. Durkheim studied thousands of cases of suicide to demonstrate his theory that a person commits suicide because of the influence of society. He explained this theory in Suicide (1897).

Max Weber- (1864-1920), Weber was born in Erfurt, Germany. He studied at the universities of Berlin, Gottingen, and Heidelberg. Other important workby Weber is Essays in Sociology and The Theory of Social and Economic Organization. His theories and writings helped establish the foundations of modern sociology. Weber considered bureaucracy to be the most important feature of modern society. Bureaucracy is a method of organization based on specialization of duties, action according to rules, and a stable order of authority. Weber also developed an ideal type method for studying society. This method studies the basic elements of social institutions and how these elements relate to one another .According to him scope of sociology is study and interpretation of social actions.

Answer 2

Auguste Comte, Karl Marx, and Emile Durkheim are considered pioneers in the field of sociology. Comte pioneered the term "sociology" and emphasized the scientific study of society, while Marx focused on the relationships between social classes. Durkheim is known for his work on social integration and the role of social institutions in shaping behavior.

Answer 3

Émile Durkheim, Herbert Spencer, Karl Marx, and Auguste Comte are considered pioneers in sociology.

In the USA sociology was pioneered by Lester Frank Ward

Some key century European sociologists were:

Emile Durkheim

Max Weber

Herbert Spencer

Vilfredo Pareto

Thorsten Veblen

Answer 4

who are the pioneers of sociology

Here are some:

Auguste comte

Herbert Spencer

Karl Marx

Emile Durkheim

Max Weber

Answer 5

Ibn Khaldun.