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Unit-1: Development of Sociology in 19th Century

and Aristotle in ‘Ethics and Politics’ (384 – 322 B.C.) had presented a systematic description of social notes
problems and events. They have discussed family life, rituals, customs and traditions the status of
women, social collectives etc. in great detail. It is true that their thought–process lacks clarity. Also
there is no clear division between society and community on one hand, and philosophy and science
on the other. At that time special significance was attached to religion and magic. As a result, at
that time social events were invariably studied in an unscientific manner. After Plato and Aristotle,
Lucretius (96 – 55 B.C.), Cicero (106 – 43 B.C.), Marcus Aurelius (121 – 108 A.D.), St. Augustine (354
– 430 A.D.), etc, contributed to the study of social life and development of Sociology. Manu in his
writings ‘Manusmriti’ described the Indian social system and Kautilya in ‘Arthshastra’ described the
socio-economic system then prevalent.

ii. second stage of development of sociology.

The period between the 6 century and 14 century is considered the second stage in the development
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of Sociology. For a long time, even in this period, reliance was placed on religion and philosophy to
seek understanding of social problems.
But from the 13 century, reasoning was being used to understand social problems. Slowly the
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importance of reasoning increased for the study of social events and incidents. This is clear in the
writing of Thomas Aquinas (1227 - 1274) and Dante (1265 - 1321). These scholars considered man as a
social being, and laid stress on the necessity of good government to conduct a society systematically.
Aqninas studied social interdependence, justice, god, respect and unity. In this period society was
considered ever–changing and evolving and simultaneously it was stated that there were certain fixed
rules, social activities and powers which worked behind these changes. To understand social events in
this period, stress was laid on the use to comprehend nature occurences and facts. As a result, scientific
effect was visible on the ideas of the thinkers of the period. Now in the study of society, stress was
laid on activity resultant relationships.

iii third stage of development of sociology

15 Century is considered the starting point of this stage. During this period scientific methodology
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was applied to the study of social events. In this period, the different parts of social–life – social,
economics, political, religion etc. were studied independently. As result, special social sciences
like, Economics, Psychology, History, Political Science etc. were developed. In this period, due to
the intellectual thinking of scholars, a special background was developed for the development of
Sociology. Hobbs, Lock and Russeau propounded ‘the theory of social contract.’ sir thomas moore
tried to understand the day to day social problems in his “Utopia”. In this book, he has describe the
then prevailing social systems and problems in England. montesque in his book ‘The Spirit of the
Laws’ tried to show clearly the effects of geographical environment. A scholar named Vic, in ‘the
new science’ has described the aims of social power. malthus has thrown light on the theory of
population, and the problems related to population growth. adam smith contemplated the economic
man. Kandorset discussed the theory of social transformation. James Harrington presented economic
system in relation to history. Though, these and many other scholars have contributed greatly to the
development of Sociology, but their studies lacks specialization and unity. Many scholars were not
able to separate economic events from social events in their study.

iV. fourth stage of development of sociology

The fourth stage of development in Sociology is considered by many to be started from the time of
Auguste Comte (1798 - 1857). This is the real stage of the scientific development of sociology. St.
Simon, the teacher of Auguste Comte wanted to create such a science, that like the physical sciences,

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