Founders of Sociology

1. Founders of Sociology

2. Auguste Comte • • Coined the term “sociology” • • Study social world through scientific method • • Key concepts: positivism—Use scientific method for social world • Theories and work has been abandoned.

3. Herbert Spencer • • Structural/Functionalist • • Coined the term “survival of the fittest” in reference to human social arrangements (Social Darwinism) • • Advocated against social reform efforts to poor people because it disrupts the natural selection process of evolution\ • Also discredited today.

4. The Fathers of Sociology Marx, Weber, and Durkheim

5. Karl Marx • Founder of political / economic theory of socialism (communism) • Considered the founder of the conflict perspective – Class Conflict between wealthy class and working class. • Key concepts: proletariat, bourgeoisie, capitalists, social class,

6. Karl Marx: Society and Conflict • He examined SOCIAL CLASS struggles • He believed the economy dominates all other aspects of society • He studied the Capitalists- owners and Proletarians- the workers

7. The Capitalists • According to Marx the Capitalists had a false consciousness of the problem of social class, meaning their explanations of capitalism were wrong because they did not want to admit their own shortcomings

8. Class Conflict • Marx embraced communism and socialism with his work the Communist Manifesto • He believed the workers should unite an revolt against capitalist

9. Capitalism and Alienation • Marx believed workers became alienated – the experience of isolation and misery from working in the factory and having no power

10. WAS MARX CRAZY? OR Does he have a point?

11. Max Weber: Rationalization of Society • He studied IDEALISM- how human ideas shape society • His thesis The Protestantism Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism proclaimed that the protestant work ethic drove capitalism and vice versa

12. Traditional vs. Rationality • Tradition beliefs passed down from generation to generation • He thought eventually society would move from traditional to rationality worldview • Rational view of the world is a deliberate, matter the fact calculations

13. Do you follow traditon? OR Are you a rationalists?

14. Emile DurkheimSociety as a function • Durkheim believed in patterns of behavior, cultural norms, and beliefs are social facts • He believed these social facts serve as function in society. For example he believed that crime is normal and society could not exist without

15. Emile Durkheim’s work: Suicide • In this book Durkheim studies groups that are most likely to commit suicide • He found that those who have less solidarity are more likely commit suicide

16. Solidarity • Solidarity is a feeling or condition of unity based on common goals, interests, and sympathies among a group's members • Durkheim believed being connected to society was the key to a happy life

17. Do we need each other? How important is solidarity in today's society?

18. Other Sociologists

19. W. E. B. Dubois • First Afro-American PhD graduate of Harvard University • Concerned with the social position of African-Americans in US society. • Wrote The Philadelphia Negro (1899) on race relations • Used statistics to examine racial discrimination against blacks

20. Jane Addams • Won the first Nobel Peace Prize (1931) given to an American sociologist • Founded Hull House for the poor in Chicago • Influenced the “Chicago School” of applied sociology (social problems) • Pioneered the study of social problems