22, January 2007 Social Theory observation among society that explains social interactions between groups- assumptions generalizations explanations of things as they are Ex: conflict theory all societies are divided into conflicting groups Symbolic interactionism how humans act socially Distinct from philosophy uses scientific methods Philosophy more abstract human thought Existentialism- world has impact on humans humans should create meanings in the world world is absurd Abstract questions: what is life? What is truth? What is evil? Sociologists think with concrete questions Ex: Why existentialism emerged? Disillusionment of the state How arrive at conclusion? Observe people, history, and society Classical Social Theory Marx, Durkheim, and Weber: pioneers of Social Theory all modern refer theories back to one of these three Origins of Social Theory Industrial Revolution in England (1757- 1857) Monarchy to Parliamentary Control "bloodless revolution" "long 19th century" (1789-1914) French Revolution: social and political revolution between social classes from Monarchy (feudal/agrarian society) to Bourgeoisie: capitalist class/working class (capitalist society) French Revolution until WWI Results of Industrial Revolution: movement to cities, factories & mechanization, mass production & technological advances, exploitation, impersonalization, shift from religion to rationality, emergence of nuclear families Modernity what happened after the Industrial Revolution- time and societies progress. Marx (1818-1883) Durkheim (1857-1917) Weber (1864-1920)