Page 8 - DSOC401_SOCIOLOGICAL_THOUGHT_ENGLISH

Sociological Thought

notes importance was paid to social, economic and political named political Eco-structure. The study of
this subject is important if one is to understand the development of sociology.

1.1 subject matter

origin of sociology

When we consider the development and origin of Sociology, three analysis processes come to the
forefront :
(i) The first analytical process lays stress on the continuation and perpetuality of human thinking –
process. The origin and development of sociology has been connected from ancient times
to social thinking. Warns and Timeroff be lieve that the inceptual thinking is actually a
continuous flow. According to this, Sociology was born in ancient times in Greece, Rome,
India, China and Arab countries. To define and analyse social life the various social sciences
like History, Political Science, Philosophy, Economics and the Natural Sciences were included,
resulting in the origin of sociology.
(ii) The second analytical process lays stress on the investigation of theories and facts. The
proponent of this process, Morton says that when considering the theories of sociology, one
should not lay too much stress on its history, but on the analysis of its theories and facts.
(iii) The scholars of the third analytical process say that the origin and development of sociology
should be studied from the social and economic angle of Europe at that particular time. In
the starting decades of 19 century, the development of industrialization and capitalism,
th
resulted in massive changes in social life – and this fact should be used when investigating
the development and origin of Sociology.

background of origin of sociology

In 18 century Europe, social, economical, political and intellectual environment were specially
th
responsible for the origin and development of sociology. Now the belief in divine power in creation
of society was bessening. Now importance was being given to human effort. In England the power
of the king decreased, with a simultaneous increase in the power and rights of parliament.
There was state revolution in France. A new economic organization, based factory–products came
into being. There was urban development, and the oppressive powers of certain sections of society
decreased. As a result many social, political and economical chages took place. This bringing about
a transformation in society, helped in its now reformation development. The main characteristics of
these reforms were:
(i) The new order favoured democracy of the people instead of kings and rulers.
(ii) An economic system based on industries replaced the one based on landed property and
farming.
(iii) People emigrated from villages, either to other countries or to cities in their own country.
(iv) Individualized ideas and thinking developed and replaced traditional community
relationships as well as pressure–power–groups.
The French revolution of 1789 precipitated quick social changes. Due to this revolution, the ideas of
brotherhood and equality were propounded. In France a Republic state was born, which replaced the
earlier royal state. The social chaos in France, after the revolution greatly influenced Auguste Comte
and St. Simon. Both these scholars stressed the need of a new social science that would not only help
in the reformation of social structure, but would define society scientifically.

2 LoVeLY professionaL uniVersitY