Founding Fathers of Sociology

Comte, Durkheim, Spencer, Marx.

Emile Durkheim’s theories provided the foundations to..

functionalism

Spencer and Durkheim were interested in how society’s parts..

contribute to the maintenance of the whole system

Who is the Father of Sociology?

Auguste Comte.

Who made the word “Sociology”?

Auguste Comte

What did Comte believe about people who lived in groups?

It shapes their behaviour above and beyond their individual needs and wants.

Comte was of the firm belief that the same methods used in the natural sciences?

List the 3 ways Comte said that phenomena can be explained:

1. Supernaturally or based on theology

2. Abstractly or based on the metaphysical

3. Positively or Scientficially

Comte studied society could be studied scientifically

By folloeing the scientific method, answers concerning order, stability and social change would become clear.

Spencer

Spencer was a British Philosopher who used his interest in Biology and was influenced by Charles Darwin.

Emile Durkheim

Like Herbert Spencer, was interested in how society’s parts contribute to the maintenance for the whole system.

What was of primary importance to Durkheim?

the function that each element provided for the social system — functions that were seen as positive.

For Durkheim,

sociology was the study of society. He believed that social facts exist that are external to individuals but have an impact on how individuals behave.

According to Durkheim, social facts…

(family, religion and law) influence how people relate to each other.

According to Durkheim, societies are held together by

norms, values, beliefs and rules that are shared by members

Durkheim explained unity in society as

eminating from either mechanical or organic solidarity

He demonstrated that regardless of the simplicity or complexity of society, people depend on one another.

Whereas Spencer and Durkheim saw social harmony, Marx emphasized

Social conflict