Ideology, History and Classical Social Theory
             Sociology is a very important discipline to study. When you ask yourself where the term,
             classical sociological theory derives from, the reading Sociological Theory written by David
             Ashley suggest that certain sociological statements are classical first because they have an
             ideological significance, and second because they have been instrumental in helping to build
             sociology as an autonomous discipline and as an institutionalized profession. "These two
             characteristics are not mutually exclusive. To some extent, classical sociological theory was
             always ideologically interested in its own legitimation". Ashley suggest that sociological theory
             is often said to have attained its maturity between 1880 and 1920. "During this period, sociology
             was established in its own right in the United States and in many Western European societies
             Ideology is another term that Ashley defines for us, he says that it is largely a modern
             invention because "it is modernity that was responsible for the breakdown of the dogma and
             uncertainties associated with traditional societies". He goes on to say that "ideology, in short,
             represents a refusal to accept that present conditions reflect the best of all possible worlds. To
             put the best possible gloss on ideology, we could say, it is a striving toward truth at a time during
             which blind adherence to custom, tradition, and habit is loosening its grip on the human mind".
             When one searches for an appropriate meaning for sociology, many definitions will come
             to mind. In her book, Understanding Social Problems, Schacht gives her definition by explaining
             a scene in the movie Dead Poets' Society, with actor Robin Williams who plays an English
             teacher in a private boys' school. She explains how in one scene he asks his students to get out of
             their seats and, ...