factors that contributed to the rise and development of sociology
This essay serves to outline the factors that contributed to the rise of sociology and the latter`s development. In simply terms, sociology is the scientific study of the society and human behavior. The emergence of sociology traces back to the eighteenth century up to present day. Johnson (1998) suggests that in summary, the rise and development of sociology is based on political, economic, demographic, social and scientific changes.
Ritzer (2008) asserts that the immediate cause for the beginning of sociology were political unrests especially the French Revolution that took over from the eighteenth century to the nineteenth century. The turmoil of the French Revolution spread throughout Europe and other nations. Kornblum (2008) suggests that the political upheavals were associated with tremendous social changes. The political revolutions demolished the old social order and monarchies. There was social chaos and disorder in societies that were resulted in by the political revolutions especially in the French society. Social theorists were attracted by these societal changes that had been a result of the political unrests hence giving rise to the discipline of sociology. Auguste Comte (1798-1857) who is credited for being the founding father of sociology was attracted by the social changes that had arose in reaction to the political revolutions. The French philosopher Comte attributed his focus of study to the French society so as to restore social order. This marked the beginning of sociology. Therefore, it is wise to claim that the European political upheavals resulted in social changes which attracted a number of social theorists such as Comte thereby leading to the rise of the scientific study of society.
Industrial Revolutions also contributed to the rise of sociology as a discipline and had great impact to the rise of sociology (Schaefer, 2010). Industrial Revolution was a period of transformation whereby economic modes of production changed from
Ritzer (2008) asserts that the immediate cause for the beginning of sociology were political unrests especially the French Revolution that took over from the eighteenth century to the nineteenth century. The turmoil of the French Revolution spread throughout Europe and other nations. Kornblum (2008) suggests that the political upheavals were associated with tremendous social changes. The political revolutions demolished the old social order and monarchies. There was social chaos and disorder in societies that were resulted in by the political revolutions especially in the French society. Social theorists were attracted by these societal changes that had been a result of the political unrests hence giving rise to the discipline of sociology. Auguste Comte (1798-1857) who is credited for being the founding father of sociology was attracted by the social changes that had arose in reaction to the political revolutions. The French philosopher Comte attributed his focus of study to the French society so as to restore social order. This marked the beginning of sociology. Therefore, it is wise to claim that the European political upheavals resulted in social changes which attracted a number of social theorists such as Comte thereby leading to the rise of the scientific study of society.
Industrial Revolutions also contributed to the rise of sociology as a discipline and had great impact to the rise of sociology (Schaefer, 2010). Industrial Revolution was a period of transformation whereby economic modes of production changed from
References: Farganis, (2011). Readings in Social Theory: The Classic Tradition to Post Modernism (sixth edition). New York: McGraw-Hill. Johnson, W.A. (1998). The Sociology Student Writer`s Manual. USA: Prentice Hall Inc. Kornblum, W. (2008). Sociology: In A Changing World. Canada: Thompson Learning. Ritzer, G. (2008). Sociological Theory. New York: McGraw Hill. Schaefer, R. T. (2010). Sociology (twelveth edition). New York: .McGraw.