Unit 1 Assignment Comparing Sociology
1.Compare scientific sociology, interpretive sociology, and critical sociology.
Be sure to explain which approaches best describe the work of Comte, Durkheim, and
Marx.
French social thinker Aguste Comte coined the term “Sociology” in the year 1838.
Comte
viewed sociology in three stages of society Theological (the church in the Middle Ages),
Metaphysical (the enlightenment and the ideas of Hobbes), and Scientific stage (modern
physics, chemistry and sociology). Comte’s approach is called “positivism”, “a scientific approach
to knowledge based on “positive” facts as opposed to mere speculation.” As a Positivist, Comte
studied the physical world in comparison to the study of society using the structural-functional
approach.
Emile Durkhei, who helped to establish this study of sociology in French Universities
also based his work on this approach. Karl Marx utilized the critical sociology and social-conflict
approach to study of powerful groups of people and their ability to exploit their power over the
less powerful.
He also rejected the idea that society existed as a natural system with a steady
order and focused on the use of critical sociology to focus on the cause for social change.
(2013,pg. 7,15,16)
Positivist sociology focuses on the actions of people and what they do. Interpretive sociology
understanding their actions and surroundings. Also, positivists claim that reality exists where
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- Fall '16
- Sociology, Assignment Comparing Sociology
