What is Sociology? Explain in detail meaning of sociology.
INTRODUCTION
In the family of social sciences, Sociology is comparatively a new entrant. But because of its dealing with social problems, social relationships and social interactions the importance of the study of this subject has considerably increased. It has considerably developed in methodology, scope and approach. Attempts are now being made to study every social problem scientifically and objectively, eliminating subjectivity to the extent possible a distinctive way of examining human interactions. Sociology is the systematic study of social behaviour and human groups. It focuses primarily on the influence of social relationships upon people’s attitudes and behaviour and on how societies are established and change. As a field of study sociology has a very broad scope. It deals with families, gangs, business firms, computer networks, political parties, schools, religions, and labor unions. It is concerned with love, poverty, conformity, technology, discrimination, illness, alienation, overpopulation and community.
MEANING OF SOCIOLOGY
Auguste Comte, a French philosopher, coined the term ‘Sociology’ in 1830 and people regard him as ‘the father of sociology’. The word ‘sociology’ derives from the Latin term ‘societus’ meaning ‘society’ and a Greek term ‘logos’ meaning ‘study’ or ‘science’. The meaning of sociology is thus the ‘science’ of ‘society’.
DEFINITIONS OF SOCIOLOGY
Sociology is being defined differently by different sociologists.
Comte – “Sociology is the science of social order and progress.”
Ward -“Sociology is science of society.”
Giddins – “Sociology is scientific study of society.”
Ginsberg – “Sociology is the study of human Inter-actions and inter-relations, their conditions and consequences.”
SUBJECT MATTER OF SOCIOLOGY
Sociology is the study of social life as a whole. It does not deal with one aspect of society; it studies various aspects of society which are the subject matter of sociology which are:
1) Social organization
2) Social structure
3) Social institutions
4) Social groups
5) Culture
EARLY THINKERS
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August Comte: In France, the 19th Century was an unsettling time for the nation’s intellectuals. French monarchy had been deposed in the revolution of 1789 and Napoleon had suffered defeat in his effort to conquer Europe. Philosophers and intellectuals were finding the ways out to improve the society. People consider August Comte as the most influential philosopher of the early 1800s. He believed that in order to improve society, theorists should develop the theoretical science of society and carry out a systematic investigation of behavior. He coined the term sociology to apply to the science of human behaviors.
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Emile Derkheim: Durkheim is considered as one of the founding fathers of sociology. He made many pioneering contributions to Sociology including his most important theoretical work on Suicide. Durkheim asserted that we must understand behavior in the larger social context, rather than as an individual action.
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Max Weber: Max Weber was born in Germany (1864-1920). He studied legal and economic history, but gradually developed an interest in sociology. Later he became professor and taught at various German universities. Scholars credit him for his key conceptual tool: the Ideal type. Researchers can use the concept of ideal type to study the family, religion, authority, and economic systems, as well as to analyze bureaucracy.
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Karl Marx: Karl Marx (1818-1883) was a critique of existing institutions that a conventional academic career was impossible. He was a revolutionary and spent most of his life in exile from his native Germany. In Marx’s analysis, society fundamentally divided itself between two classes i.e. Bourgeoise and Proletariat who have opposite interests.
IMPORTANCE
Prior to the emergence of sociology, scholars carried on the study of society in an unscientific manner and no science had ever made society its central concern.
It is through the study of sociology that the truly scientific study of the society has been possible. Sociology has assumed such great importance because of its bearing upon many of the problems of the present world that scholars consider it to be the best approach to all the social sciences.
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Sociology studies role of the institutions in the development of the individuals.
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Study of sociology is indispensable for understanding and planning of society.
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Sociology is of great importance in the solution of social problems.
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Sociology has drawn our attention to the intrinsic worth and dignity of man.
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Sociology has made great contribution to enrich human culture.
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Sociology is of great importance in the solution of international problems.
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The value of sociology lies in the fact that it keeps us update on modern situations.