Introduction to Sociology

 What is Sociology?
 Sociology is the scientific, systematic and reliable study of society and relationship
between individual and society.
 Being a science of society, it deals with the social structure, social relations, social
behaviors, interaction, social groups, social institutions, social stratifications, social
processes, social problems etc.
 Etymologically, the term Sociology is derived from Latin word ‘Socius’ means society
and Greek word ‘ Logos’ means Study or science. Thus etymological meaning of
sociology is the Science of Society.
 In conclusion, Sociology is the systematic study of human society, dedicated to the
understanding of social interaction as people form groups, communities and society
 Sociology separated from moral philosophy to become a specialized discipline.
No other science endeavors to study it in its entirety.
Economic – production, distribution, consumption.
History – past in accordance with the time order.
Anthropology – primitive man, communities and their cultures.
Psychology – behavior or mind of the individual.
Political science – citizen, as a ruler and as being ruled.
Sociology is interested in social relationships not because they are
economic, history etc., but because they are social.
 DEFINITION OF SOCIOLOGY
Kingsley Davis says that “sociology is a general science of
society”.
• Park says, “Sociology as the science of collective behavior”.
• Emile Durkheim defines, "Sociology as a science of social
institutions”.
• Ogburn and Nimkoff defines, "Sociology as the study of
social life”.
• Kimball Young defines, "Sociology deals with the behavior of
men in groups”.
 EMERGENCE OF SOCIOLOGY
 Human beings have always been interested in knowing and thinking about their society
from the dawn of human civilization. Some sociologists trace the origin of sociology from
the economics of Kautilya and politics of Aristotle.
 For example the statement of Aristotle “Man is a political (that is social) animal sowed the
seeds of sociology. Sociology as a general social science emerged in the 19thcentury. It
means Sociology does not have long history but it has long past.
 Actually, as a subject, Sociology was emerged after the French Revolution of 1789 A.D. The
long series of political revolutions carried out by the French revolution was the most
immediate factor for the emergence of sociology.
 The impact of these revolutions on many societies has both negative and positive change.
But scholars were disturbed by negative change which was chaos and disorder of society.
 Many social thinkers were united to restore the order of society. They searched the new
basis of social order. This interest of social order was the major factor for the emergence
of sociology.
Different scholar who contributed to the emergence and development of sociology who are:
Auguste Comte: -
Auguste Comte (1798 – 1857), a French philosopher who coined the term sociology as a hybrid
term in 1838 AD. He is of view that scientific knowledge can be used to improve people’s lives.
Cours de philosophies positive (positive philosophy), is the major work of Auguste Comte. He
developed the Law of three stages of human society which are Theological, Metaphysical and
positive stage.
1. Theological Stage: It is the first stage of development of society. In this stage every social
phenomena and social problems are explained in terms of religious belief in society.
2. Metaphysical stage: according to Auguste Comte it is the second stage of evolution of human
society. In this stage every social problems and phenomenon are explained in terms of
philosophy.
3. Positive stage: it is the third and last stage of evolution of human society. In this stage every
social problems and phenomenon are explained in terms scientific methods. It is the scientific
stage of human society.
Emile Durkheim
Emile Durkheim(1858-1917) Emile Durkheim is also French sociologist. Durkheim legitimized
sociology in France and his work ultimately became a dominant force in the development of
sociology. The division of Labor in society (1893), The Rules of Sociological Method (1895),
Suicide (1897) Elementary Form of Religious Life (1912 )etc. are the major contributions of
Durkheim.
Karl Marx
Karl Marx (1818-83) is another social thinker who contributed a lot in the development
of sociology. The communist Manifesto (1848), Contribution to the Critique of Political
Economy(1859) Capital (1867 Volume I) etc. are the major works of Marx.
In his materialist conception of history, the driving force for social change and the
source of conflict in society are economic. Conflict brought on by the exploitation of
the poor by the rich under capitalism will bring social change.
Max Weber
Max Weber (1864-1920) is the German sociologist. The Methodology of Social
Sciences (1949),The Religions of China (1951), The Religion of India (1958), etc. are
the Major contribution of Weber. He is of view that Values and ideas drive social
change in society.
1.Protestant beliefs led to capitalism
2.Bureaucracy a type of organization marked by a clear hierarchy of authority and the
existence of written rules of procedure and staffed by full-time, salaried officials.
 Nature of Sociology
Nature of Sociology indicates to the Qualities or characteristics of it. Sociology is a science of
society. As a science of society it has a social nature. There is still controversy among scholar
regarding to the nature of sociology.
Some sociologists claim sociology as a science and critics are of view that sociology cannot be
regarded as a science. The followings are the main characteristics of sociology show its pure
nature.
Sociology is an independent science: - It is an independent science. It is not studied as a branch of
other subjects. As an independent science, it has own separate field of study, history, research
methodology and scope.
Sociology is a social science not a natural science:- Sociology is a social science. Being a social
science it studies human behavior in group, relations, social activities, social problems and social
life. Similarly, as a social science it is related with other social sciences such as history, economics,
political science etc.
Sociology is a categorical science not a normative science:- Sociology is a positive or categorical or
descriptive science. It is related to the statement about what is, not what should be or ought to be.
It cannot say anything about the question of value. It is ethically neutral and it cannot deals with
the issues of good or bad, right or wrong and moral or immoral. In other words, sociologists do not
ask whether particular social actions are good or bad, they seek merely to explain them.
 Sociology is a theoretical (pure) science not applied science:- Pure science is related to the
acquisition of knowledge where as applied science is related to the application of acquired
knowledge. But each pure science may have its own applied field. In this context, sociology can be
taken as theoretical or pure science because sociology is related with acquisition of knowledge
about human society and it has own applied field such a social work, administration and
diplomacy.
Sociology is a generalizing science not a particularizing science: - General laws and principles are
important for the view that sociology is a generalizing science. Sociology tries to find out the
general laws about society and social life from the particular cases. It tries to
make generalizations on the basis of conclusion drawn from the particular events.
Sociology is both a rational and empirical science: - Sociological knowledge is based on
rationalism and empiricism. Rationalism is an approach to knowledge which is based on the logic.
Similarly, empiricism is an approach to knowledge which is based on experience. The empiricists
collect facts from experience and rationalists coordinate and arrange them. Sociology is also
depends on empiricism and rationalism. Thus, it is both rational and empirical science.
Sociology is an abstract science not a concrete science: - Sociology is a science of society.
Society is itself mental product. It is not interested in concrete manifestation of human events. It
only concerns only with the forms and patterns of society. Thus it is an abstract science not a
concrete science.
Sociology is a general science not a particular science: - Sociology is a general
social science. It studies society in general. The area of it is not particularized. Other
social sciences such as economics, political science, history, culture etc. are
concentrated their attention on particular aspect of human society. But sociology
studies human society in a general way.

Why Sociology is Important?

Sociology provides critical insight and perspective to the solution of social problems.
Sociology has changed our outlook with regard to the problems of crime, its causes
and consequences. Sociology is of great importance to the understanding of
international problems.