SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY LEVEL 3

Sociological Theory level 3



Sociological Theory level 3

Introduction

This paper intends to discuss the reasons behind the creation of social science. Further, the essay will also create a link into the growth of scientific knowledge of enlightenment with the significance of social science. The work of Auguste Comte will be traced while developing the paper. Moreover, the ideas of Durkheim related to the collective conscience and scientific method will also be discussed. The ideas of Marx related to the class conflicts and scientific methods will be explored. The important concepts of class, status and power and the relevance of social action theory in the viewpoint of Weber will be discussed in the paper.

Moving on, the essay will highlight the key elements of functionalism, Marxism, social action theory and post modernism. The basic purpose of this paper is to make the reader aware about the historical development of sociological thought from the Enlightenment along with the identification of distinguished characteristics of sociological theories initiated by important authors like Marx, Weber and Durkheim. Lastly, this paper will also make the reader aware about the importance of functionalism, Marxist theory, social action theory and the relevant perspectives of post modernism.

Discussion

Historical Development of Social Science

Enlightenment basically refers to the historical and intellectual movement within Europe and the era of Enlightenment has significantly impacted the aspects of Western modernization. Enlightenment basically favored the excessive utilization of reason and freedom of individuals. Enlightenment is assumed to be the central aspect of justifications behind the modernization. The Western modernization is undoubtedly impacted by the enlightenment. The focus of Enlightenment revolved around economic growth. Modernization also worshipped the economic growth which is seen as the manifestation of Enlightenment within modernism. The history of social science can easily be traced back to the eras of Western Philosophy and Science (Kath, 2009 Pp. 100-125).

The earliest studies related to the social sciences began within nineteenth century. All the disciplines like anthropology and linguistics are considered important from the viewpoint of tracing the importance of social sciences evolution. The Age of Enlightenment has contributed immensely towards the development of modernity within the arena of social sciences. The underlying revolutions like French and Industrial revolutions influenced the moral philosophies of social sciences. Moreover, the growth of social science can be traced back to the various theories provided by authors like Auguste Comte, Durkheim, Marx and Weber. The Confucius and sociology of Medieval Islam also contributed towards the growth of social sciences (John, 2001 Pp. 315-324).

Work of Auguste Comte

Auguste Comte was one of the most important French philosophers. He is considered to be the founding member of the sociology discipline in relation with the doctrine of positivism. The work of Auguste Comte is extremely important to analyze while discussing the historical development of social sciences mainly because he is considered to be the most important philosopher of the modern science and sociology. The work of Auguste Comte was extremely influenced by Utopian Socialist named Henri ...