Ideology, History, & Classical Social Theory ► What is a theorist? ► Observes ► Seeks order.
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Transcript of Ideology, History, & Classical Social Theory ► What is a theorist? ► Observes ► Seeks order.
Ideology, History, & Classical Social Theory
► What is a theorist?
► Observes
►Seeks order
Why are theories created?
Need
Impose order
Prediction & control
Theories Vary & ChangeSame experiences can be
theorized in different waysExamples: Greek understanding
of human body & personalityEarth as center of universeOther examples?
The Universe During the first few centuries B.C.Greeks described the first realistic
model of the universe:
Earth in the center (sphere)Concentric spheres with the sun,
moon, Mars, and VenusOn the outer sphere, were the stars
Earth at the Center
What is a Social Theory?
Definition: A body of organized, verifiable ideas developed to explain various aspects of society & social behavior.
Explains how & why specific facts are related
Creates order Make sense of the world & our place in the
world.
The Development of Social TheoryHistorical Context
French Revolution (1789) to WWI 1919Dramatic Changes
EconomicSocialPolitical
The Development of Social Theory
Change in IdeasHow people saw & made sense of the
worldChange after decades of little changeCause of social changeImportance of religion
Ways of thinking about Change
God’s will
Linear (progress)
Cyclical
Linear Change
Thrive
Decline
Rise
Cyclical Change
8/28 Social theory to deal with:Change after stabilityWidespread changeUncertainty about the futureExamples:
Class conflictLoneliness in citiesSocial disorganization
Enlightenment 17th & 18th c.
Reason can create a better world by eliminating:
Ignorance SuperstitionTyranny
The Enlightenment
Principal targets:
Religion (Catholic Church)
Hereditary aristocracy
The Enlightenment
Ways of knowingIdeologyReasonScience
IdeologyJustifies existing social arrangementsValue-laden
Examples:“Divine right of kings”RacismSexism
ReasonAll knowledge discovered through
rational processesUniverse operates on “laws”Humans have:
Free willIntelligenceControl destiny & environment
ScienceScientific methods
Guidelines for gathering & interpreting information
Value free
Saint-Simon (1760-1825)
Social Environment
French social philosopherAmerican Revolution
Served on side of colonistsFrench Revolution
Made a fortune in land speculationIncreasing industrialization The Enlightenment
IdeasPromoted study of natureNature & society governed by lawsReorganization of society
Organized by wise menBased on scientific division of laborSpontaneous social harmony
IdeasState’s 3 responsibilities
1.Public works
2.Free education
3.Uplifting recreation
Ideas
“Industrial army”Construction of roads, bridges,
canals, planting forests
Organism as metaphor for society
Science-> replace religion
“Saint-Simonianism”After Saint-Simon’s death Small group of follower’s organized
calling for:Abolition of inheritance rightsPublic control of means of productionGradual emancipation of women
Became a moral-religious cultSociologists as high priests*
August Comte (1798-1857)
Social EnvironmentSocial UpheavalSeries of governments:
DemocraticOligarchy of middle-class elitesDictatorship of Napoleon (1799-1814)Return to Bourbon monarchy
His parents liked the monarchyEconomic problemsReligious turmoil
Goals for SociologyCreate order
Unified spiritual orderSocial & political stability to France
View of society=Organic Society’s basic unit is the family
Not the individualFamily is emotional & moral union
Goals for SociologySocial & political problems improved
by scienceDiagnosed & cured like human diseases
Natural laws Explain stability & change
SociologyReplace Roman Catholic Church as source
Truth, Understanding, and Order *
Herbert Spencer
29
30
Herbert Spencer
Religious / political / philosophical background
Laissez-faire economics
31
Herbert Spencer
His book Social Statics:
Human happinessAchieved only when individualsCan satisfy their needs and desiresWithout infringing on the rights of
othersTo do the same.
32
Herbert Spencer
“Society is akin to a special organism obeying its own laws of progress.”
The natural order of all societies is one of hierarchy.
33
Herbert SpencerAlmost a decade before Darwin
published On the Origin of Species,
Spencer coined the phrase “survival of the fittest.” *