BC

Ch 1.2 I Classical Sociological Theory Notes

Saint-Simon (1760-1825)

  • Key role: precursor to both conservative and radical Marxian thought; influence on Comte and later sociology.
  • Conservative strand: aimed to preserve existing society without returning to medieval forms (unlike Bonald/Maistre).
  • Positivist orientation: believed social phenomena should be studied with the same scientific methods as the natural sciences.
  • Radical strand: advocated socialist reforms, especially centralized planning of the economy, but did not envision the working class replacing capitalists.
  • Relation to Comte: akin ideas, but later sparked a bitter split between Saint-Simon and Comte.
  • Significance: laid groundwork later echoed by Comte; his ideas survive in conservative and socialist streams.

Auguste Comte (1798–1857)

  • Inventor of the term sociology; foundational influence on later theorists (e.g., Spencer, Durkheim).
  • Core creed: sociology should be scientific (positivism) to counter Enlightenment-induced disorder.
  • Historical context: opposed the anarchy of French society and Enlightenment/revolutionary thinkers; aligned with Catholic counterrevolutionaries (Bonald, Maistre) in spirit but diverged in practical stance.
  • Two central grounds for difference from counterrevolutionaries:
    • Could not return to the Middle Ages due to advances in science/industry; history moves forward.
    • Developed a sophisticated theoretical system capable of guiding early sociology.
  • Key concepts:
    • Social physics (1839): model sociology after the hard sciences; science of society.
    • Social static (structures) vs social dynamics (change); more emphasis on dynamics.
    • Evolutionary theory: law of three stages governing world and groups, sciences, minds.
    • Reformism over revolution: social reform to aid evolution, not violent upheaval.
  • Law of three stages (Comte): the world and societies pass through three intellectual stages, and this process applies to groups, sciences, individuals, and minds.
    • Theological stage: before 1300, supernatural powers and religious figures are seen as the roots of everything; social/physical world attributed to God.
    • Metaphysical stage: roughly 1300–1800; abstract forces like