what is sociology?
This article is designed primarily for those who are completely new to sociology and would like some help and guidance as to the exact nature of the subject-matter of sociology. However new you are to sociology it is probable that you have an idea, however vague and general, regarding what sociology is supposed to be about. It may be that you have an idea that sociology is 'about' people. And you would be right to think so. We might start then by noting that sociology is one of the human sciences and as such it is a subject to be distinguished from the so-called 'physical sciences'. Sociology is the study of humanity.However this description of sociology is only partially correct. To say that sociology is about people and humanity is not enough to distinguish it from the other subjects in the human sciences. For it is equally the case that Psychology, Social Policy, Economics and Social History, amongst others, are all in some sense about people and humanity. Thus the fact that sociology is about people and humanity gets us only part way along the road to a full definition of the subject. We might also suggest that sociology is 'about' society. This helps in so far as it adds another component to our ful
For the term 'sociology' is not coined until after the second great event of the 18th century; the French Revolution. In one sense we might have to admit here that Psychology and Sociology experience significant and sufficient overlaps so as to conclude that they are so close that we cannot finally distinguish them in any complete sense. If you are going to study it is up to you to determine the extent to which it has 'mended it ways'. But again there are aspects of psychology which examine external relations whilst there are aspects of sociology which examine the 'internal' workings of individuals' minds. Psychology on the other hand appears to examine individuals as solitary and somewhat isolated beings. When & How did Sociology begin?If we cast an eye back historically to the very beginnings of sociology we can note a number of important features associated with the 'birth' of the subject. For it seems to me that sociology is to be defined as the 'study of social order'. This has led to charges of it being ethnocentric. Just when modern societies emerge so too does sociology. That is the relationship with other people as well the relationships individuals have with social institutions. Point 2: Did you notice all the 'founding mothers'? No? Nor did I! Again there is a criticism that sociology is a male enterprise which has for a long time failed to give adequate consideration to women's needs and issues. Comte and Saint-Simon 'dared to know' about this entity; 'society'. He is conventionally understood to be the first 'proper' sociologist. He had rejected the idea of sociology and rejected the idea of regarding himself as a sociologist.
Common topics in this essay:
Social History,
Psychology Sociology,
Karl Marx,
,
Comte Saint-Simon,
Du Bois,
North America,
France Philosphers,
Whereas Psychology,
Political Science,
19th century,
people humanity,
'founding fathers',
human interaction,
sociology subject,
social interaction,
human sciences,
social institutions,
psychology sociology,
sociology concerned,
sociology male enterprise,
term 'sociology' coined,
sociology people humanity,
defined role philosopher,
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