What is Sociology? | Sociology Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Sociology, initially regarded as social philosophy or the philosophy of history, emerged as an independent social science in the 19th century. August Comte, a French philosopher, is traditionally considered the father of sociology. He is credited with coining the term "sociology" in 1839, which is derived from the two words: socius, meaning companion or associate, and logos, meaning science or study. Therefore, the etymological definition of sociology is the science of society. Although various definitions of sociology have been proposed by different sociologists, no single definition has been universally accepted. 

Development of Sociology

• August Comte and the birth of sociology: August Comte, often referred to as the father of sociology, introduced the term "sociology" in 1839. Comte's primary goal was to understand the social world and its underlying principles, which led him to develop the concept of sociology as a separate discipline. His ideas laid the foundation for the systematic study of society and human behavior.
• John Stuart Mill and the alternative term "ethology": John Stuart Mill, a 19th-century philosopher and social thinker, proposed the term "ethology" for the new science of society. Although his suggestion was not widely accepted, it highlights the ongoing debate over the most appropriate name for the discipline.
• Herbert Spencer and the consolidation of sociology: Herbert Spencer, another influential social thinker, contributed significantly to the development of sociology by adopting the term in his work. His systematic approach to the study of society helped establish sociology as a distinct field of study. Spencer's contributions, along with those of other social thinkers, solidified the term "sociology" as the permanent name for the new science.

Defining Sociology

Given the diverse perspectives and approaches of various sociologists, defining sociology is not an easy task. Providing a concise and comprehensive definition of sociology is challenging due to its broad scope and the numerous interpretations by different scholars. However, understanding the common themes and objectives of sociology can provide a general understanding of the discipline.

• The science of society: At its core, sociology is the scientific study of human society and social behavior. It seeks to understand the complex relationships between individuals, groups, institutions, and social structures. Sociology aims to uncover the underlying patterns, rules, and dynamics that govern human interactions and social phenomena.
• The study of human behavior in a social context: Sociology is concerned with understanding human behavior within a social context, recognizing that individual actions are shaped by social forces and structures. It investigates the ways in which individuals and groups interact and influence one another, as well as the impact of social institutions on people's lives.
• The analysis of social change and stability: Sociology also examines the processes of social change and stability, exploring how societies evolve, adapt, and sometimes collapse. Sociologists analyze the factors that contribute to social stability and change, such as cultural values, economic systems, and political structures.

For our purpose of study a few definitions may be cited here
Sociology is a scientific discipline that aims to study human behavior, social interactions, and the structure and functioning of societies. The term "sociology" was first coined by August Comte, who is considered the founding father of the discipline. Over the years, various sociologists have provided different definitions of sociology, reflecting their distinct approaches to the study of social phenomena.

• August Comte's Definition: August Comte defines sociology as the science of social phenomena subject to natural and invariable laws, the discovery of which is the object of investigation. According to Comte, sociology aims to uncover the underlying laws that govern social phenomena and help in understanding the functioning of societies.

• Kingsley Davis and Harry M. Johnson's Definitions: Kingsley Davis refers to sociology as a general science of society, while Harry M. Johnson considers it the science that deals with social groups. These definitions emphasize the focus of sociology on studying various aspects of societies and the interactions between different social groups.
• Emile Durkheim and Park's Definitions: Emile Durkheim defines sociology as the science of social institutions, while Park regards it as the science of collective behavior. These definitions highlight the role of institutions and collective behavior in shaping societies and the importance of studying them to understand social phenomena.
• Small, Marshal Jones, and Ogburn and Nimkoff's Definitions: Small defines sociology as the science of social relations, while Marshal Jones considers it the study of man-in-relationship-to-men. Ogburn and Nimkoff define sociology as the scientific study of social life. These definitions emphasize the importance of studying human relationships and their influence on social life.
•  Franklin Henry Giddings, Henry Fairchild, and Max Weber's Definitions: Franklin Henry Giddings defines sociology as the science of social phenomena, while Henry Fairchild considers it the study of man and his human environment in their relations to each other. Max Weber defines sociology as the science which attempts the interpretative understanding of social action in order to arrive at a causal explanation of its course and effects. These definitions stress the importance of understanding human actions and their consequences on society.

• Alex Inkeles, Kimball Young, and Raymond W. Mack's Definitions: Alex Inkeles states that sociology is the study of systems of social action and their interrelations, while Kimball Young and Raymond W. Mack define it as the scientific study of the social aspects of human life. These definitions highlight the need to study the various social systems and the relationships that exist between them.
• Morris Ginsberg's Comprehensive Definition: Of the various definitions of sociology, Morris Ginsberg's definition is considered comprehensive and satisfactory. He defines sociology as the study of human interactions and inter-relations, their conditions, and consequences. This definition encapsulates the essence of sociology – the study of human interactions, their underlying conditions, and the resulting consequences on society.

Why there was a need to start Sociology?

• The need to start Sociology emerged due to the limitations of existing social sciences, which only studied specific aspects of society from different angles or perspectives. There was a growing need to study society as a whole, taking into account its various dimensions and interrelationships. This led to the introduction of the term 'sociology' by Auguste Comte, which was initially criticized by J.S. Mill. However, Herbert Spencer supported the term sociology and disagreed with Mill's proposal.
• As famously stated by Aristotle, "Man is a social animal," and humans are inherently inclined to live in societies. Our existence in society involves interacting with others and developing various types of relationships. Sociology helps us understand the nature of these relationships and provides insights into the appropriate ways to engage with different social groups and institutions, such as economic, psychological, or political entities.

Sociology: Definition and Nature

Sociology is a complex and diverse field of study that seeks to understand human society and social behavior. It encompasses various aspects, ranging from the study of society as a whole to the e

xploration of social relationships, interactions, and actions. The nature of sociology can be better understood through the following perspectives:

1. Sociology as a study of society: According to L.F. Ward, sociology is the study of social behavior and society" and social phenomena. Similarly, Giddings defines sociology as the systematic description and explanation of society as a whole. In this perspective, sociology aims to study the structure, organization, and functioning of society, and how it affects human behavior.
2. Sociology as a system of social relationships: McIver and Page define sociology as the science of social relationships, the network of social relationships that form society. A.W. Green considers sociology as the synthesizing and generalizing science of man, focusing on all his social relationships. J.F.Cuber defines sociology as a body of scientific knowledge about human relationships. In this context, sociology seeks to understand how individuals relate to one another within society and how these relationships shape their behavior.
3. Sociology about Social Interaction & action: Gillin and Gillin describe sociology as the study of interactions arising from the association of living beings. George Simmel considers sociology as the science of the forms of human interactions. Morris Ginsberg defines sociology as the study of human interaction and interrelations, their conditions, and consequences. Max Weber views sociology as the science that attempts to interpret the understanding of social action. From this perspective, sociology focuses on the ways individuals interact with one another and how these interactions influence their actions and decisions.
4. Sociology about Social events, social life, social activities & social functions: Ogburn and Nimkoff define sociology as the scientific study of social life. Bennet and Tumin consider sociology as the science of the structure and function of social life. P.A. Sorokin sees sociology as a generalizing science of socio-cultural phenomena, focusing on the structure and dynamics of social and cultural systems. In this context, sociology aims to study various aspects of social life, events, activities, and functions, and how they shape human behavior.
5.  Sociology about social groups: H.M. Johnson defines sociology as the science that deals with social groups, their internal forms, and modes of organization, the processes that maintain or change these forms of organization, and the relations between groups. In this perspective, sociology focuses on understanding the structure, organization, and functioning of different social groups and their impact on human behavior.
6. Collective representation: Emile Durkheim defines sociology as the science of collective representation. By collective representation, he means the collective symbols that are accepted by the majority of people. These social facts are instrumental in guiding and controlling individual behavior. In this context, sociology seeks to study the role of collective representations in shaping human behavior and social structures.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sociology is a multifaceted and dynamic discipline that seeks to understand the complexities of human society, social behavior, and interactions. It encompasses the study of various aspects of society, including social relationships, interactions, actions, social life, events, and social groups. Sociology has evolved over time, with different sociologists providing distinct definitions and perspectives on the subject. Despite this diversity, the common thread that runs through all these perspectives is the study of human interactions and their impact on society. By understanding these interactions and their underlying patterns, sociology helps us navigate and adapt to the ever-changing social landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of What is Sociology?

What is the origin of the term "sociology" and who is considered the father of sociology?

The term "sociology" was first introduced by August Comte, a French philosopher, in 1839. Derived from the words socius (companion or associate) and logos (science or study), sociology refers to the science of society. Comte is traditionally considered the father of sociology.

Why is it difficult to provide a single definition of sociology?

Providing a single definition of sociology is challenging due to its broad scope and the numerous interpretations by different scholars. Sociology encompasses various aspects of human society and social behavior, and different sociologists have focused on different aspects and approaches to studying these phenomena.

What are the main themes and objectives of sociology?

Sociology primarily focuses on understanding human society and social behavior, examining the complex relationships between individuals, groups, institutions, and social structures. It seeks to uncover the underlying patterns, rules, and dynamics that govern human interactions and social phenomena. Sociology also investigates the processes of social change and stability, exploring how societies evolve, adapt, and sometimes collapse.

How is sociology different from other social sciences?

Sociology differs from other social sciences in that it aims to study society as a whole, taking into account its various dimensions and interrelationships. While other social sciences focus on specific aspects of society from different angles or perspectives, sociology provides a more comprehensive understanding of the structure, organization, and functioning of societies and their impact on human behavior.

What are some of the key perspectives in understanding the nature of sociology?

Some key perspectives in understanding the nature of sociology include:

• Sociology as a study of society
• Sociology as a system of social relationships
• Sociology about social interaction and action
• Sociology about social events, social life, social activities, and social functions
• Sociology about social groups
• Sociology about collective representation