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Sociological Thought

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notes In the development of Sociology in the 19 Century, the contributions of Auguste Comte Karl Marx and
Spencer is important. The sociologist of the time were aware of the scientific definitions of society. In
this direction, Comte brought out the “Theory of Scientific Philosophy”. Marx brought out “Scientific
Socialism” theory at about the same time.
At this time, the influence of physical sciences and biological sciences was felt on Sociology. At the same
time, social evolution, progress and upliftment theories and steps were being tried to be discovered.
Three thinkers Comte, Marx and Spencer threw light on social upliftment. Karl Marx started from
the level of initial socialism to the social state of socialism in his analysis “The Social Defination of
History” on a theoretical basis. Spencer told us that, like the biological world, even society has gone
through a process of evolution.
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In the later years of the 19 century German sociologist Toniej and George Simmel and French
sociologist Emile Durkheim contributed to the expounding of sociological theories. Toniej started
a classification of society through sections and hierarchies. Simmel contributed to the development
of “Sociological Strcutures”, according to which the main subject – matter of sociology is the study
of the formation and structure of the many social activities. The German sociologist, Max Weber
too contributed immensely to the development of sociological theories. In the early part of the 20
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century, study–research work was started in many universities of America. During that time, there
were renowned sociologist like Thorston Weblan, Freckward and A.M. Rose etc. there. In Italy, Wilfred
Paret brought out “A four of the Undivided Class.”

self assessment
Fill in the blanks –
1. In the 19 century the contributions of Auguste Comte, Karl Marx and Herbert Spencer to
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the development of Sociology is ..............
2. Marx brought out the theory named ............... at this time.
3. Spencer said that just like................, society too evolved.

Did You Know? Plato did not accept the theory of inequality on the basis of sex? He believed
that there was hardly any difference between men and women, in the
qualities and abilities.

1.3 Development of sociology

i. first stage of development of sociology
It is mostly accepted that the initial development of sociology took place in Europe. But many Indian
thinkers believe that many important facts connected to social life can be found in the Vedas, Unishads,
Puranas, the great epics, and Smritis. The prevelant caste system is a clear proof that Indian thinkers
were able to create and develop a vast social system vis a vis human life, even before western scholars
had any thought related to this direction. Here we have to keep in mind that Indian thinkers were
influenced to a great deal in their social thinking by religion, economics and politics.
Socially related study in Western Societies started with thinkers in Greece. The writings of Plato
and Aristotle were important attempts in this field. Plato in his book ‘The Republic’ (427 – 347 B.C.)

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