Sociology (core)

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement emphasizing reason, science, and individualism over tradition.

Comte's Theory

Proposed a framework for sociology that categorizes human understanding into three stages: Theological, Metaphysical, and Positive.

Theological Stage

The first stage where humans explain the world through myths and stories.

Metaphysical Stage

The second stage where explanations are based on abstract theories without scientific backing.

Positive Stage

The third stage characterized by scientific understanding and rationality leading to societal order.

Chaos and Rationality

Comte's view that the transition between stages creates conflict due to the retention of old elements.

Positivism

The philosophy stating that knowledge should be derived from observable phenomena.

Sociology

The study of society and social behavior, founded by Comte as a science.

Natural Laws

In sociology, the fundamental principles that Comte sought to identify governing human behavior.

Protestant Ethic

Weber's theory linking Protestantism, particularly Calvinism, to the development of capitalism.

Accumulation of Capital

The process of acquiring assets, which, according to Weber, is influenced by religious beliefs.

Rationalization

The process of rendering practices and behaviors in society driven by logic and efficiency rather than tradition.

Du Bois

An African American sociologist and activist known for his work on race and racism in the U.S.

Double Consciousness

Du Bois's concept of the internal conflict experienced by marginalized groups, particularly African Americans.

The Souls of Black Folk

A collection of essays by Du Bois examining race relations and the African American experience.

Veil

Du Bois's metaphor for the racial divide that separates black and white experiences and perspectives.

Economic Relations

One of the three methods Du Bois identified for racial contacts influencing social dynamics.

Proximity

The physical closeness between races, which Du Bois argued affects social relations and perceptions.

Fanon

A philosopher and psychiatrist whose work focused on the psychological effects of colonialism.

Negritude

A literary and cultural movement emphasizing African identity and heritage, initiated by Aimé Césaire.

Ethnonational Racism

Fanon's concept distinguishing racism as a result of political domination rather than biology.

Subhuman Status

Fanon's view of how black individuals are perceived in a racially unjust society.

Political Domination

A central theme in Fanon's work, referring to the oppressive control of one group over another.

Three Stages of Knowledge

Comte's classification indicating how all branches of knowledge evolve from theological to positive.

Bacon, Descartes, Galileo

Philosophers credited by Comte for revolutionizing scientific thought essential to positivism.

Cultural Emulation

Fanon's concept where black individuals attempt to adopt white culture in their quest for acceptance.

Post-Colonial Analysis

Fanon's application of psychological principles to understand the implications of colonialism.

Transitional Phase

The period when society moves from one understanding or belief system to another, as theorized by Comte.

Rational Order

Comte’s belief that science and rational thinking would lead to societal stability and order.

Individual and General Mind

Comte's notion that the individual reflects the collective consciousness of society.

Color Prejudice

Racial bias that Du Bois viewed as both a cause and effect of the social conditions of black people.

Social Science

The study of human society and social relationships, considered the fifth category of science by Comte.

Mundane Passion

Weber's term for the shift in capitalism from a religiously motivated force to a secular drive.

Civilizational Progress

The idea that the transition to positive philosophy would enhance human development and understanding.

Religious Foundation

The basis upon which the accumulation of capital is built in modern societies according to Weber.

Intellectual Activist

Du Bois’s role as a scholar and advocate for racial equality and social justice.

Philadelphia Negro

Du Bois’s study using ethnographic methods to understand the black community in Philadelphia.

Alienation

The social disconnect experienced by those marginalized in society, especially in terms of racial identity.

Racial Inequalities

Disparities in social privileges and rights based on race, which Du Bois studied extensively.

Historical Context

The significance of past events in shaping current racial dynamics, as analyzed by Du Bois.

Colonial Influence

The impact of colonial powers on former colonies, explored by Fanon in his psychological critique.

Cultural Recognition

Fanon’s emphasis on the need for acknowledging African identity against colonial narratives.

Sociological Methods

The diverse approaches used by Du Bois, including ethnography, in studying society.

Revolutionary Belief

Fanon's conviction that systemic change is necessary for racial equality and liberation.

Mythical Explanations

The narrative approach used in the theological stage to understand the world before scientific reasoning.

Empirical Foundations

Knowledge based on observed and measurable evidence, central to Comte’s positive philosophy.

Neighborhood Relations

Du Bois’s concept that social interactions within one’s community shape racial dynamics.

Discipline of Sociology

The academic field Comte founded, advocating for a systematic study of society using scientific methods.

Racial Threat

Du Bois's view that even progressive individuals perceive black people as a danger to societal norms.

Sociological Framework

Comte’s structure for understanding sociological phenomena through distinct stages of knowledge.

Civil Rights Movement

A significant social movement aimed at achieving equality for African Americans, influenced by earlier thinkers.

Existential Condition

The state of being that arises from the social realities and prejudices, as discussed by Du Bois.

Transitional Conflict

The tensions arising during the shift between old and new societal beliefs, leading to upheaval.

Scientific Method

The systematic approach to inquiry that Comte believed should govern the study of human behavior.

Cultural Identity

The shared characteristics of a group shaped by cultural heritage, crucial to understanding race relations.

Sociological Perspective

The viewpoint that encourages understanding individual experiences within larger societal contexts.

Revolutionary Potential

Fanon’s belief in the necessity of revolut for achieving racial equality and liberation.

Racial Dynamics

The interactions and relationships between different racial groups influenced by history and societal structures.