Historical Context of the Emergence of Social

Science Discipline
Group 2
Group members:
Jessica Rivero
Cherry Morte
Frinces Belaro
Katie Sergio
Pia Sto Domingo
Lenny Primavera
Sean Israel
Lei Ivan Boholano
Joshua Naveza
Jerick Carola
Introduction
The emergence of social sciences can be traced back to the 18th and
19th centuries, during a time of significant societal changes and
intellectual developments. This period, known as the Enlightenment,
witnessed a shift towards rational thinking, skepticism of traditional
beliefs, and a focus on empirical observation and scientific inquiry.
9 Discipline of Social
2 Economics
Science
3 Geography

1 Anthropology 4 History

5 Linguistic

6 Political Science

7 Psychology

8 Sociology

9 Demography
Anthropology
-The study of human societies, cultures, and their
development over time. It seeks to understand the
diversity of human experiences, beliefs,
behaviors, and the way in which societies are
organize and change.

-Comes from the Greek word “anthropos”

(human) and “logos” (study of).
The study of anthropology is often divided into four separate
subfields:

• Biological Anthropology- Also known as “physical anthropology”. It deals with the

evolution of humans, their variability, and adaptions to environmental stresses.

• Cultural Anthropology- Focuses on the study of contemporary human cultures,

beliefs, social structures, and how they shape people’s lives.

• Archaeology- Is the study of past humans and cultures through materials remains.

• Linguistic Anthropology- Studies the nature of human languages in the context of

those cultures that developed them.
Historical Background

• Ancient Greek-Historical and philosophical writings

about human nature.
• Middle age-Thinking about questions of human
origins and cultural development.
• 15th century- Looking for wealth in new lands.
• 17th to 18th – Rise of scientific and rational
philosophical thought.
• 19th – Anthropology emerged as a formal discipline.
 Franz Boas
A German-American
anthropologist, also known as the
“Father of Modern Anthropology”.

His primary contribution to

anthropology was his theory of
cultural relativism. The theory that
different cultures each have their own
ethical and social standards that
reflect their individual culture’s
beliefs.

Anthropology is important because it helps us understand and appreciate

the diversity of human cultures and societies. Is the study of what makes us
human.
 Economics
-is the study of scarcity and its implications for
the use of resources, production of goods and
services, growth of production and welfare over
time, and a great- variety of other complex
issues of vital concern to society.

-The English term 'Economics' is derived from

the Greek word 'Oikonomia'. Its meaning is
'household management'.
Economics is divided into two categories:

• Microeconomics- studies the decisions of individuals and firms to allocate

resources of production, exchange, and consumption.

• Macroeconomics- focuses on the performance of economies – changes in

-
economic output, inflation, interest and foreign exchange rates, and the
balance of payments.
Historical Background

Historical development of economics The effective birth of economics as a

separate discipline may be traced to the year 1776, when the Scottish philosopher
Adam Smith published An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of
Nations.
 FOUNDER OF ECONOMICS

Adam Smith was an 18th-century

- Scottish economist, philosopher, and
author who is considered the father of
modern economics.

IMPORTANCE OF ECONOMICS
-The study of economics helps people understand the
world around them.
Geography
-Geography is the study of the Earth's physical
.
features, climate, and human populations. It explores
the relationships between people and their
environments, including how humans interact with
and shape their surroundings.

-Origins of many of the concepts in geography can be

traced to Greek Eratosthenes of Cyrene, who may
have coined the term "geographia".
 Sub Fields of Geography:

-Physical Geography -Human Geography

-Geographical Inform Systems(GIS)
. -Environmental Geography
-Geomatics -Urban Geography
-Economic Geography

Historical Background
-In the 19th century, geography began to emerge as a distinct academic discipline
with the establishment of dedicated departments in universities. This period saw
the development of systematic approaches to studying the Earth's physical and
human aspects.
 Founder:
Eratosthenes (276-194 BCE)- Often referred to
as the "father of geography," Eratosthenes was an
ancient Greek scholar who made significant
contributions to the field.
He calculated the Earth's circumference with
remarkable accuracy and developed the concept
of latitude and longitude.

Importance:
-Understanding the Earth,Geography helps us understand the physical features of the Earth, such
as landforms, climate patterns, ecosystems, and natural resources. This knowledge is essential for
sustainable management of our planet's resources and for addressing environmental issues like
climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss.
History
.
-Is the systematic study of past events,
particularly human actions and societies, based
on evidence and sources. It involves analyzing
and interpreting the past to understand how it
has shaped the present.
Sub Fields of History:
-World History
-Intellectual History
-Social History
-Economic History
-Art History
Historical Background
-The study of history dates back to ancient civilizations, where accounts of past
events were recorded on various mediums. However, the formal discipline of history
as we know it today began to take shape in ancient Greece, with historians like
Herodotus and Thucydides. The formal study of history began to develop in ancient
Greece around the 5th century BCE.
 Founder:
Herodotus is traditionally regarded as the
“father of history”. because he was the first
historian to collect and systematically
document events and create an account. He
compiled these accounts into his single
major work known as The Histories.

Importance:
-The study of history is crucial for several reasons. It helps us understand our origins, learn from
past mistakes, and gain insights into the development of societies and cultures. History provides
context for current events, promotes critical thinking, and fosters a sense of identity and collective
memory.
Linguistics
.
-"lingua" ( tongue, language) is the study
of language, how it works, how it is
acquired, and how people use it to
communicate.
 Branches of Linguistics:

• Phonetics -The study of speech sound in their physical aspects.

• Phonology- The study of speech sounds in their cognitive aspects.
.
• Morphology- The study of the formation of words.
• Syntax- The study of the formation of sentences.
• Semantics- The study of meaning.
• Pragmatics- The study of language use.
• sociolinguistics — the study of language and society.
• Psycholinguistics – The study of how language is
processed, produced, and acquired in the human mind.
 Historical Background
• 5th century in India- Formulated 3,959 rules
.
• 18 century- The rise of comparative
th

• Early 20th century- Introduced the idea of language as a static system of

interconnected units.

• Half of 20th century- Explain how human beings acquire language and the
constraints on this acquisition.
Founder:
Ferdinand de Saussure a “swiss linguist
and considered as the father of linguistics”. He
introduced the structuralist approach, analyzing
language as a system of signs. His ideas revolutionized
the field and continue to influence linguistic theory
today.
Some of the famous linguists:
1. Noam Chomsky
2. Umberto Eco
3. William Labov
4. Roman Jakobson
5. Benjamin Lee Whorf
Political Science
- is the study of power, governance,
. and
decision-making within societies. It examines
how governments function, how policies are
made, and how individuals and groups interact
within political systems.
 Major Subfields:
1.POLITICAL THEORY -Political theory is concerned mainly with the foundations of political
community and institutions. It focuses on human nature and the moral purposes of political association.
.
2.COMPARATIVE POLITICS -is a broad field with a variety of approaches and goals.

3.INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS -The study of the interaction of nation-states and non-

governmental organizations in fields such as politics, economics, and security.

4.AMERICAN GOVERNMENT and POLITICS -Students of American government and politics seek an
understanding of politics as practiced in the United States.

5.POLITIVAL METHODOLOGY -study existing statistical techniques and develop new ways
to use statistics to estimate and identify political effects and make sense of political data.
Historical Background

.
-Political Science has its roots in ancient Greece, where philosophers like Plato and
Aristotle pondered over the nature of politics and governance. It has since evolved and
developed over the centuries. Political Science as a formal academic discipline emerged
in the 19th century, gaining recognition and establishment in universities around the
world.
 -Aristotle is regarded as the “father of political
science”. He was a great Greek philosopher. He
was the first one to give a working definition of
political. science.

-known for inventing the scientific method

of analysis, which can be applied to multiple
fields of study.

Importance:
-Political Science is crucial for understanding how societies are governed and how power is
distributed. It helps us analyze political systems, make informed decisions, and participate in
democratic processes. It also provides insights into global affairs and helps shape public
policies.
Psychology
-The word psychology comes from two Greek
.
words: psyche meaning ‘mind’ or ‘soul’, and -
logos meaning ‘the study of’. The
combination of the two refers to the study of
the mind or soul (Weiten 1998).

-This definition contains three elements:

•scientific enterprise
•study behavior
•study the mind
Psychology has various subfields, including:
-Clinical Psychology
-Cognitive Psychology
-Developmental Psychology .
-Social Psychology
Historical Background

-Greek philosophers (600-300 BC) explored various psychological topics.

-They focused on epistemology, studying how humans acquire knowledge.
-Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle discussed: pleasure and pain, knowledge, beauty,
desire, free will, motivation, common sense, rationality, memory, and the subjective
nature of perception.
"Wilhelm Wundt" (1832-1920) - known as the "Father of
Psychology" , a German psychologist, established the Institute for
Experimental
. Psychology at the University of Leipzig in
Germany in 1879.

-He instructed psychology students to observe phenomena

without personal bias or preconceived notions, using their
findings to shape theories of conscious thought.

- His seminal work, "Principles of Physiological Psychology,"

contributed significantly to the field.
 Wilhelm Wundt Other Key personalities:
- Sigmund Freud: Known for his psychoanalytic
theories.

- B.F. Skinner: Renowned for his work on

Charles Darwin behaviorism.
(survival of the fittest)
- Carl Rogers: Recognized for his humanistic
approach to therapy.

Psychologist
Paul Ekman
Sociology
-Is the scientific and systematic study of
.
human society that focuses on society,
human social behavior, patterns of social
relationships, social interactions, and
aspects of culture associated with everyday
life.
 Sub Fields of Sociology:
1. Economic Sociology: Studies how society and the economy influence each other.
2. Criminology: Examines crime, criminals, and the criminal justice system.
3. Demography: Analyzes population growth, distribution, and migration.
.
4. Medical Sociology: Studies the relationship between society and health.
5. Social Inequality: Focuses on disparities in society based on factors like gender, age,
ethnicity, education, and income.

Historical Background

-The historical background of sociology dates back to the 19th Century when thinkers like
Auguste Comte coined the term "sociology." It emerged in response to major social
changes brought about by industrialization and urbanization. Influential figures like Karl
Marx, Max Weber, and Emile Durkheim further developed the discipline, shaping it into a
field dedicated to understanding human societies and social dynamics.
 Founder:

Auguste Comte (born Jan 19, 1798), Montpellier, France -

died Sep 5, 1857, Paris).

-A French Philisopher known as the founder of sociology

and of positivism. Comte gave the science of sociology. Its
name and established the new subject in a systematic fashion.

Importance:
-studying sociology is essential because it heps us understand society's complexities, tackle social
issues, and contribute to positive changes. It provides insights into human interactions, societal
structures, and the root causes of social problems, By fostering critical thinking and self reflection,
sociology equips us to navigate our roles within society and advocate for a better world
Demography
-As an academic field under the social
science, demography is the study .of human
populations through the use of statistical
analysis and mathematical modelling.

- Demography describes the composition of a

population according to its basic and
socioeconomic features. A population's basic
features include age, sex, family, and
household.
 10 Subfields of Demography:
-Fertility Demography -Mortality Demography
-Migration Demography -Population Structure and Composition
-Population Aging . -Family Demography
-Urban and Rural Demography -Historical Demography
-Health Demography -Applied Demography

Historical Background

-The historical background of demography can be traced back to ancient civilizations

where records were kept on population size and vital events such as births, deaths, and
migrations. The modern field of demography began to take shape during the 17th and 18th
centuries with the development of mathematical methods for measuring population growth
and mortality rates.
 Founder:
Who is the Father of Demography?
-That would be John Graunt, (born April 24, 1620, London-died
April 18, 1674, London), English statistician, generally considered
.
to be the founder of the science of demography, the statistical study
of human populations. His analysis of the vital statistics of the
London populace influenced the pioneer demographic work of his
friend Sir William Petty and, even more importantly, that of Edmond
H the astronomer royal.

Importance:
-Its importance lies in providing evidence-based insights for decision-making
in areas such as population planning, resource allocation, healthcare, social and economic
development, and international relations.
The emergence of social sciences was driven by a desire to understand
and explain the complexities of human societies and behavior using
scientific methods. These disciplines continue to evolve and contribute
to our understanding of social phenomena, providing insights into the
dynamics of societies, cultures, economies, and politics.
Thank you for
listening !