The founding father of sociology is Auguste Comte. He is widely recognized as the founder of sociology and coined the term "sociology" itself. Comte was a French philosopher who lived from 1798 to 1857. He is best known for his work in developing the field of sociology and for his theory of positivism.

Positivism:
One of Comte's major contributions to sociology was the development of the theory of positivism. Positivism is a philosophical approach that emphasizes the use of empirical evidence and scientific methods to understand and explain social phenomena. Comte believed that society could be studied and understood in a similar way to the natural sciences, such as biology and physics. He argued that sociology should be based on observation, experimentation, and the collection of data to develop general laws and theories about society.

Three Stages of Society:
Comte also proposed a theory of the three stages of society, which outlines the historical development of human thought and society. According to Comte, human society progresses through three stages: the theological stage, the metaphysical stage, and the positive stage. In the theological stage, people explain natural phenomena in terms of supernatural beings or forces. In the metaphysical stage, people explain natural phenomena in terms of abstract concepts and philosophical ideas. And in the positive stage, people explain natural phenomena in terms of empirical evidence and scientific observation. Comte believed that sociology represented the positive stage of human society, where social phenomena could be studied and understood scientifically.

Influence on Sociology:
Comte's ideas and theories had a significant impact on the development of sociology as a distinct discipline. His emphasis on using empirical evidence and scientific methods to study society established the foundation for modern sociological research. Comte's work inspired subsequent sociologists, such as Emile Durkheim and Herbert Spencer, who further developed and expanded upon his ideas. Durkheim, in particular, built upon Comte's positivism and made significant contributions to the study of social facts and the importance of social integration.

Conclusion:
Auguste Comte is rightly called the founding father of sociology due to his pioneering work in developing the field and his theory of positivism. His emphasis on using scientific methods to study society and his theory of the three stages of society laid the groundwork for the development of sociology as a distinct discipline. His ideas continue to influence sociological research and theory to this day.