Sociologists

Auguste Comte French philosopher Outstanding student

but very rebellious. Fourth man on the

entrance list to the prestigious Ecole Polytechnique, a kind of governmental M.I.T.

Moved to Paris, and lived there the rest of his life.

Theories Founder of Positivism (a

system of thought that the purpose of learning is to describe things, not to ask if it is real or not.)

Applied observation and experimentation to a field now called sociology.

Believed that social problems were caused by hierarchical rules; believed in progress of mankind through the science of sociology.

Aimed to create a naturalistic society, which would explain past development and predict it’s future course.

He first called sociology, “social physlater,” but when he felt the term was taken from him he changed it to “sociology”

Karl Marx Had a close

relationship with his father since his mother, who wasn’t very educated, did not a major influence on him.

Freiherr Ludwig von Westphalen, a next-door neighbor had a major influence on him.

Theories Thought that ever since

society emerged, it has been divided between classes because of interests.

Insisted that men make their own history. History is the process that men change themselves to dominate nature. They change it to serve their own purposes.

Believed that all parts of society (religion, the state) were marked by alienation.• Alienation- condition where

men are dominated by forces that they created.

• He despised capitalism and private property

Herbert Spencer

Oldest of nine children, and only one to survive.

Very sick and weak as a child, so he was taught by his father and uncle. This education involved a heavy influence on science.

Theories His main contribution was “Social Darwinism”

or “Survival of the Fittest” theory. Many industrialists in America used this theory

to explain their wealth in the late 1800s and early 1900s, like Andrew Carnegie.

Emile Durkheim

Born in Lorraine. Destined to become a

rabbi because his grandfather and great grandfather were.

He later broke out of Judaism all together.

Theories

Believed that men were creatures whose desires were unlimited.• "The more one has, the more one wants”

Thought that a man's religious commitments ultimately can be traced to his social commitments.

Wondered if the end of religion would cause a universal breakdown

He devoted many of his studies to understanding suicide and other topics like religion and money.

Max Weber

Oldest of seven children.

Strongly influenced by his aunt and uncle.

Was dependent on his father all through college.

Theories

Classified men into groups based on what they did rather than on their place in society.

• "Historical causality determines the unique circumstances that have given rise to an event.

• Assumes the establishment of a regular relationship between two phenomena.”

Theories (cont.)

Believed in three types of authority:• rational-legal authority : characterize

hierarchical relations in modern society

• Traditional authority:based on belief in the sanctity of tradition

• Charismatic authority:rests on the appeal of leaders who claim allegiance