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The Beginnings of Sociology

The Beginnings of Sociology. 1817-1850. French Revolution (1789-1799). Rebellion against the old order (monarchy and Church) Resulted in chaos and restoration of monarchy in 1814 Stable republic finally established in 1870. French Revolution (1789-1799). Dual influence on sociology:

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The Beginnings of Sociology

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  1. The Beginnings of Sociology 1817-1850

  2. French Revolution (1789-1799) • Rebellion against the old order (monarchy and Church) • Resulted in chaos and restoration of monarchy in 1814 • Stable republic finally established in 1870

  3. French Revolution (1789-1799) Dual influence on sociology: • Themes of freedom and equality • Desire for order in the chaotic aftermath (two opposing views)

  4. Auguste Comte (1798-1857) Main concern: How to preserve social order Solution: Scientific approach Coined the word “sociology” – the science of society

  5. Auguste Comte (1798-1857) 2 purposes of Sociology: • New science • “social engineering” to cure society’s ills • Source of values – replacing religion as a means of preserving social order Universal Consensus – shared values that hold society together

  6. Law of Three Stages: Theological explanation by reference to spirits or gods Metaphysical explanation by reference to general philosophical principles (e.g., “nature”) Positive scientific explanation Auguste Comte (1798-1857)

  7. Positivism – Belief that methods of natural sciences should be applied to studying society Sociological research – Observation Experiment Comparison Historical analysis Auguste Comte (1798-1857)

  8. The first sociologist engaged in both theory and research wrote on variety of topics translated Comte into English Illustrations of Political Economy (series of novelettes to teach social theory) Harriet Martineau (1802-1876)

  9. Society in America (1837) – first empirical study in sociology How to Observe Manners and Morals first book on sociological method Harriet Martineau (1802-1876)

  10. Subject matter of sociology: the morals and manners of a particular society Morals – social norms Manners – people’s behavior based on those norms Harriet Martineau (1802-1876)

  11. Sociological Method: The study of THINGS – what can be observed objectively – the manifestations of the society’s manners and morals (what people do in their everyday lives; how institutions are structured) Harriet Martineau (1802-1876)

  12. Sociology’s 3 principles: Impartiality suspending judgment and preconceptions Critique pointing out problems Sympathy striving to understand the viewpoints of others Harriet Martineau (1802-1876)

  13. Ethical imperative in sociology: To expose relations of domination For example, of: working-class people slaves women Harriet Martineau (1802-1876)

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