The EnlightenmentThe Enlightenment

• Advocated rationality as a means for Advocated rationality as a means for improving the worldimproving the world

• Rejected traditional ideas which they Rejected traditional ideas which they saw as superstitious and tyrannicalsaw as superstitious and tyrannical

• Such as the Divine Right of KingsSuch as the Divine Right of Kings• Rejection of these traditional ideas are what led Rejection of these traditional ideas are what led

to both the American and French Revolutionsto both the American and French Revolutions

The French Revolution (1789-1799)The French Revolution (1789-1799)

Marked the end of Monarchical Marked the end of Monarchical supremacy and the beginning of supremacy and the beginning of Democracy in FranceDemocracy in France– These ideas later spread throughout These ideas later spread throughout

Europe and the AmericasEurope and the Americas– It was during this time that philosophers It was during this time that philosophers

started thinking empirically about started thinking empirically about “society”“society”

Auguste Comte (1798-1857)Auguste Comte (1798-1857)

““Father of Father of Sociology”Sociology”

Product of the Product of the Enlightenment and Enlightenment and the French the French RevolutionRevolution

Two main ideasTwo main ideas– ‘‘Law of 3 phases’Law of 3 phases’– ‘‘positivism’positivism’

More ComteMore Comte

The Law of 3 phasesThe Law of 3 phases– that society has gone through three that society has gone through three

phases: Theological, Metaphysical, and phases: Theological, Metaphysical, and Scientific Scientific

PositivismPositivism– An approach to improving the world An approach to improving the world

through sciencethrough sciencebelieve that there is little if any believe that there is little if any

methodological difference between social methodological difference between social science and natural sciences-all operate science and natural sciences-all operate according to Laws and therefore can be according to Laws and therefore can be mathematically examined in a value-neutral mathematically examined in a value-neutral wayway

The Sociological ImaginationThe Sociological Imagination

Phrase coined by Phrase coined by C. Wright MillsC. Wright Mills

Refers to the ability Refers to the ability to connect to connect seemingly seemingly impersonal and impersonal and remote historical remote historical forces to the most forces to the most basic incidents of basic incidents of an individual’s life an individual’s life