Soc 3000 Study Guide-Questions and Answers

In what aspects did the Renaissance and the Age of Science impact the development of social theory? Further, in what aspects did the political, economic, and intellectual changes (or events) of the 18th century (during the Age of Enlightenment) lead to the emergence of sociology as a new science? The Renaissance impacted the development of social theory in 3 ways: 1.) Impacted great appreciation for the cultural accomplishments of the Greeks and Romans, 2.) impacted an intellectual rebirth of Europe as people tried to recapture the artistic, philosophical, scientific and commercial glory of the classical period, 3.) Impacted a revival of intellectual curiosity about the nature of society The Age of Science impacted the development of social theory in 2 ways: 1.) Impacted scientific discovery, 2.) Impacted a growing belief that knowledge could be used to exert control over nature Political, economic, and intellectual aspects/events that changed the 18th century that led to the emergence of sociology as a new science included: - Economic dimensions: Industrial and commercial revolution leading to full scale industrialization, urbanization and marketization - Political Dimension: The French Revolution of 1789 leading to the fundamental change of political landscape - the traditional aristocracy(noble class) was in decline and the bourgeoisie was on the rise - Intellectual dimension: Humanity was considered to be governed by a "Law of Process" (Adam Smith in England, and Voltaire and Rousseau in France) Identify the major theoretical contributions made by Auguste Comte and explain Comte's theory in terms of "Laws of Three Stages" and "Hierarchy of the Sciences." Why does Comte claim sociology to be the "Queen of Sciences"? Further, explain Comte's functionalist theorizing of the "Organic Whole" or "Body Social." What social phenomena does Comte refer to by his notions of "social static" and "social dynamic"? -Coined the term "sociology," he is the founder of sociology and positivism -Positivism means that sociology could unite all sciences and improve society -The "Laws of Three Stages," the first stage is the theological stage where people took a religious view of society. The second was the metaphysical stage where people understood society as natural rather than supernatural. Comte's final stage was the positive stage where society would be governed by reliable knowledge.