Page 9 - DSOC401_SOCIOLOGICAL_THOUGHT_ENGLISH

Unit-1: Development of Sociology in 19th Century

notes

Notes To end the dysfunctional chaos born out of social relationships it became necessary
to study sociology.

Natural sciences were developed around this time and it effected social science also and their effect
was felt that just like physical world was defined by universal proven theories, so to could the social
world using universal proved theories be also defined. Just as the process of inspection, research and
trial and use helps in the study of natural sciences, so too a similar study process could also be applied
to social sciences. It is only possible to study society truthfully if one remains neutral factually. These
beliefs were especially important in the development of Sociology.
British sociologist Botomore says that the intellectual condition of the 18 century proved helpful in
th
the birth of sociology. The political philosophy, historical philosophy, evolutionary theory biological
theory of evolution social–political reform movements as also the development of social inspection
process, prepared the background for neutral study of society.
Ferguson, who gave philosophical definitions of history should be mentioned here. He expressed
viewed on state, society, family, kinship, population, laws and traditions. He believed that society is
in its basic form as institutionalized system of relationship. Ferguson’s ideas influenced the thinking of
Hegel and St. Simon. Hegel in turn influenced Karl Marx and St. Simon influenced Auguste Comte.

early form of new social science

In relation to this new social science St. Simon has drawn attention to the below mentioned views :
(i) As a result of scientific discoveries, industrial revolution and political upheavals, social
formations had changed to a great extent. Therefore, to define the restructuring of society,
a new social science was necessary.
(ii) In this new science, use should be made of the processes used in natural sciences.
(iii) In todays changed environment, logic based on religion, beliefs, imagination and philosophical
definations had no importance.
Giving physical shape to his above mentioned points, St. Simon with the help of Auguste Comte tried
to develop a new discipline to study the new science social physics. Later he gave the name sociology
to this new discipline. Through this science, social life will be studied in a way similar to the one used
to study the physical world through physics.
Auguste Comte and St. Simon worked together for some time to develop social Physics (Sociology).
Both these scholars tried to free social sciences of the influence of religion and philosophy. They were
both influenced by Karl Marx. This era according to Botomore is the prehistorical period from the
angle of ideas and thinking in the development of sociology.

1.2 origin of sociology

Around the time 1838 – 39, Auguste Comte named the above mentioned science as ‘Sociology’. This
word was composed of the latin word “Socius” and the greek word “logos” and it meant – science or
discipline of society. This is called Sociology in English and Samajshatra in Hindi.

LoVeLY professionaL uniVersitY 3