الجمعة، 15 مايو 2020

Social Thinkers : Auguste Comte, Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, Karl Marx


AUGUSTE COMTE
(1798-1857)

INTRODUCTION:
§French Sociologist
§A Moralist
§Father of Sociology
§Established the relationship of Sociology  with other fields of knowledge

HIS WORKS
The prospectus of the scientific works required for the reorganization of the society
Positive Philosophy
System of positive politics

CONTRIBUTIONS  OF  COMTE
LAW OF THREE STAGES:
Law of three stages of Human Thought (Law of Human Progress)

THE THEOLOGICAL STAGE

Primitive persons tend to think in Supernatural terms
All phenomenon is produced by immediate action of supernatural beings
No priesthood because the gods were individuals residing in fixed objects
Too many fetishes (Any object or idea eliciting unquestioning reverence or response, respect or devotion) created much confusion
Fetishism was converted into polytheism, hence evolved the concept of priesthood in the societies
Mental contradictions led to the arrangement of gods in a hierarchical manner
Concept of monotheism

THE METAPHYSICAL STAGE:

Rationalization replaced imagination
God does not stand directly behind every phenomenon
Reasoning helped man to find some other order in the natural world
Principles and theories gained ascendency over feelings and speculations

THE POSITIVE OR SCIENTIFIC STAGE:

–The scientific way of thinking
A positive state
Origin and destination of the universe and the causes of phenomenon and study of their laws
Observation and classification of the phenomenon
Positive thinking suits the need of the industrial society.

STAGES IN THE SOCIAL ORGANISATION AND PROGRESS

Three stages in the development of Social organization
Theological thinking is related to the military or monarchical social organization
God would be there as the head of the hierarchy as King of Kings and as mighty warriors
Divine sanction could hardly be challenged
Dogmatism would prevail and its challengers would be punished
Metaphysical stage produced a government dominated by “DOCTRINES OF ABSTRACT RIGHTS
A legalistic Social Organization
More Formal and structured society
In Europe Nation States emerged during this stage
Third stage Positive thinking produced a society dominated by industrialists
An Industrial society in which men inquire into the nature and utilization of natural resources and forces
Transformation of the material resources on earth for human benefit
Production of material inventions  

COMTE’S CLASSIFICATION OF SCIENCES

Classified sciences according to increasing complexity, independence, and decreasing generality
Any branch of knowledge reaches the positive stage early depending upon its simplicity and generality
Considered Mathematics as the basic tool of the mind
It is not a member of the group of sciences, it is their common basis
Education without mathematics is faulty, inexact and unreliable
Astronomy the most general and simple of all-natural science developed first
Followed by other sciences such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology and finally Sociology
Social sciences are most complex and most  dependent upon other sciences for  their development
Hence they occupy the highest place in the hierarchy
He further classified the sciences in Inorganic and Organic Sciences. Inorganic sciences (Physics, Astronomy, and Chemistry) are easy to develop
Organic Sciences such as Biology are more complex. “It involves the study of all life and the general laws pertaining to the individual units of life”

COMTE’s VIEWS ON SOCIOLOGY

Sociology represents the culmination of the development of Science. It is based upon Mathematics and is dependent upon Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy. These Sciences have taken time to free from theological and metaphysical speculations and thinking. Hence Comte argued that Sociology too would require some time to attain the full status of Science

SOCIAL STATIC AND SOCIAL DYNAMIC

According to Comte there are two divisions in Sociology

SOCIAL STATIC:

It refers to the “Study of the Laws of action and reaction in the Social Order”. It deals with the major institutions of society such as family, religion, economic, etc.
It inquires into the co-existence of the social phenomenon
There is a spontaneous harmony between the whole and a part of the social system
The parts of the society cannot be studied separately
When the harmony between the parts is lacking a pathological situation may prevail
SOCIAL DYNAMIC:
If static examines how the parts of the society are interrelated social dynamic focus on whole societies as the unit of analysis and reveal how they developed and changed through time
It inquires as to how human civilizations progress in different stages
Comte was convinced that all societies move through certain fixed stages of development and that they progress towards ever-increasing perfection
RELIGION OF HUMANITY
Scientific Religion or Religion of Humanity
A society built upon scientific principles need badly a religion which Comte termed as Religion of Humanity
Comte conceived a society directed by the spiritual powers of the priests of the new positive religion and the leaders of banking and Industry
Scientific Sociologist priests would be the moral guides and will control the society
They will use their superior knowledge
Comte claimed himself to be the high priest of the scientific society
Love for their fellows would be incorporated in the Individual man
CRITIQUE
Later years Comte considered not himself as a Social scientist but primarily a prophet and founder of a new religion that promised salvation for all the ailments of humanity
Comte thus tried to create a purely “Social religion”
Morally intoxicated and not a strict religionist
He led an isolated life and developed strange thoughts
Insistence on positive approach objectivity and scientific method contributed to the progress of social sciences
Law of three stages reveals that man is becoming more and more rational
An enormous wealth of ideas
Maximum importance to the scientific methods and criticized the armchair philosophers
Not only a pure science but also applied science. It helps to solve Social problems.

HERBERT SPENCER
(1820-1895)

Born in Derby England
Only surviving baby in the family of George Spencer
Highly individualistic
Joined London and Birmingham Railways as an Engineer
Later on joined “The Economist” as a journalist

HIS WORKS
THE LAW OF EVOLUTION
Evolution an exciting the idea of the 19th century
Influential sponsor was naturalist Charles Darwin
Spencer saw social evolution as a set of stages through which all societies moved from simple to complex and from the homogenous to heterogeneous
Law of evolution is the supreme law of everything
Evolution is “a change from a state of relatively indefinite, incoherent homogeneity to a definite coherent heterogeneity”
Law of evolution is universal in character
Biological analogies occupy an important role in all of Spencer’s Sociological reasoning
Ever present process of evolution is leading towards human progress
Man is predestined to progress
“The change from the homogenous to the heterogeneous is displayed in the progress civilization as a whole; as well as in the progress of every nation and it is still going on with increasing rapidity”
THE ORGANIC ANALOGY
Society is like biological organisms

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE SOCIETY AND THE ORGANISMS
ØBoth are distinguishable from inorganic matter by growth
ØGrowth is accomplished by increasing complexity
ØIn both there is an interdependence of parts
ØProgressive differentiation in structure is accompanied by progressive differentiation in function
ØThe life of society and the life of an organ is far longer than the life of its one unit or part
DIFFERENCES:
ØIn an organism the part forms a concrete whole but in a society, the parts are free and more or less dispersed
ØUnlike organisms the societies have not specific external forms such as a physical body with limbs or face
ØThe parts of society are not stationary and fixed in their position relative to the whole
ØIn an organism consciousness is concentrated in a small part of aggregate while in Society consciousness is diffused
ØIn an organism the parts exist for the benefit of the whole. In a society, the whole exists merely for the benefit of the individual

SPENCER AND THE SCIENCE OF SOCIOLOGY

According to Spencer science of Society is possible because in Society there is an order and of coexistence and progress. If there is order then the corresponding the phenomenon that is a social phenomenon may form the subject of science
He tried to explain the growth of the society and its present state by applying the law of evolution
He added to explain the known present society by means of unknown past
Spencerian Sociology is also often associated with the “doctrine of the survival of the fittest” and Social Darwinism. But Spencer thought that competitive struggle was only dominant in early militant societies. An advanced industrial society would rely on cooperation, persuasion rather than aggression and conflict. Spencer contributed to the emergence of functionalism.
He argued that social systems like individuals adapt to their environments by a process of internal differentiation and integration
The evolutionary process of societies was from simple homogeneity in militant society to complex heterogeneity in industrial society
The principal doctrine which Spencer derived from his Sociology was Social planning, social welfare, and state intervention interfered with the natural process of social evolution and progress which guaranteed personal freedom in industrial society
Unlike Comte, Spencer was not interested in how to change society or how to make it better
He was more impressed by the Darwinian thoughts and the principles of the survival of the fittest
He hoped to describe the evolutionary process of societies through a better approach
According to Spencer, Societies are bound to change
No one should try to change the prevailing social order
The change will come at its time
There is no need to be critical of present social arrangement
A sigh of relief for many in Victorian England, who were the supporters of the status quo and saw the sociologists with suspicion for the fear of social change
CRITIQUE
Spencer used his organic analogy in a ridiculous manner.
ØKing’s Council  Medulla Oblongata
ØHouse of Lords  Cerebellum
ØHouse of Commons  Cerebrum
If a society is like a human organism, it must experience a natural process of birth, maturity, aging, and death. Births and deaths of the societies is not a common process
Spencer used his analogy in a very dogmatic manner but later referred to it as merely a boundary wall of a building a structure of deductions. He actually proceeded as if the scaffolding were the real building.

EMILE DURKHEIM
(1858-1917)



Also Known as founding father of modern sociology
French Academic sociologist
Worked as a professor of Sociology in Germany
Later on returned back to France
Lectured on Education and Sociology in France
Actively concerned with French politics
Values and principles to be incorporated in the French Educational system which was established on a secular basis

HIS WORKS
HIS THOUGHTS
Society exists beyond ourselves
Society is more than the individuals who compose it
Society was here long before we were born
It shapes us as we live in it
It will remain long after we are gone
Society has the power to guide our thoughts and actions [A marked difference between Sociology, Biology, and Psychology]
Therefore cultural norms, values, beliefs are the objective realities
Society is created by the people but once created it takes on a life of its own and demands a measure of obedience from its creators.

PERSONALITY—Society in Ourselves

Society is not beyond ourselves but in ourselves
How we act think and feel
Provides moral discipline that guides our lives
Human beings need the restraint of society

MODERNITY AND ANOMIE
Modern societies impose few conditions
ANOMIE:
  A condition in which society provides little moral guidance to the individuals
Industrialised Societies
led to sudden fame and wealth for some individuals thus breaking all the social and cultural ties and social support
SOCIAL FACTS
Domain of Sociology is the study of social facts and not individuals
The significance of any social fact is more than what individuals see in their immediate life
Social facts help society to operate as a whole
Societies have their own realities which could not be reduced to the actions and motives of the individuals
Individuals are molded and constrained by their social environment
THE DIVISION OF LABOUR IN SOCIETY
Distinguished the forms of Social order found in primitive and modern societies

MECHENICAL SOLIDARITY: in primitive societies was based on the common beliefs and a consensus found in the collective consciousness
Traditional societies
Lock and key model
Common sentiments
Shared moral values

ORGANIC SOLIDARITY:
  Social order in industrialized societies cannot be explained in terms of contractual the arrangement between individual and society
Individuals are motivated by self-interest
Self interest will lead to social instability
Industrialized and urbanized societies are more complex
Division of labor has destroyed mechanical solidarity and social integration
He examined the disruption of mechanical solidarity in Industrial societies
He believed that a new order will arise in modern societies on the basis of organic solidarity
Characterised by the interdependence of economic ties arising out of the differentiation and specialization within the modern economies
A new network of occupational associations such as guilds that would link individuals to the state and the emergence within these associations of collectively created moral restraints.

THE RULES OF SOCIOLOGICAL METHOD
Sociology has its unique subject matter
The group is a reality  Suigeneris
The analysis of group behavior should begin with the study of the collective phenomenon, not individuals
Sociology as a science of social facts and social institutions
In observing a social fact a sociologist must avoid all preconceptions
The subject matter of every sociological investigation should comprise group phenomenon
Indirect experiment, that is the comparative method is the only appropriate method to study the society
He rejected Comte’s historical method
The task of Sociology is to know the cause as well as the functions of the social facts.

THE ELEMENTARY FORMS OF RELIGIOUS LIFE
Analysis of collective or group forces to study the religion
Group life is the generating force or source or cause of religion
Religious ideas and practices always symbolize the social group
Main function of the religion is the creation, reinforcement, and maintenance of social solidarity
So long as Society persists so long will be the religion

THE THEORY OF SUICIDE
Durkheim probably intend to serve the two purposes
To refute the theories of suicide based upon biological, genetic, climatic, geographic and psychological factors
To explain with empirical evidence his own sociological theoretical explanation
No societies in which suicides do not occur
A normal, regular occurrence
An index of disintegrating forces in the social structure
Different rates of suicides are the consequences of the difference in degree and type of social solidarity
An individual phenomenon whose causes are social
Suicidogenic impulses running through the society
Origin is not in the individual but collectively
Vary from one group to another, from one society to another from one religion to another.

TYPES OF SUICIDE

FATALISTIC SUICIDE; 
As a result of excessive social regulation, e.g. Once common in slaves

ALTURISTIC SUICIDE;
  For the good of the groups.

EGOSTIC SUICIDE;
  Where the individual is more concerned with his/her own good. Excess of individualism

ANOMIC SUICIDE;
  When the individual experiences a state of norm-lessness or when norms conflicted

CRITIQUE
He never wrote any specific treaties on sociology but his writings on various sociological topics provide a convincing answer to many problems
Discussion on collective representation and collective conscience threw light on the relationship between individual and society
He focused on the issue of how social interactions and relationships significantly influence an individual’s attitudes, ideas, and sentiments
A positivist and strongly recommended the application of the methods of physical science to social science
He has made Social fact a central in his method. A social fact is a phase of behavior thinking, feeling or acting, but coercive in nature
Completely neglected the importance of the individual decision
Society is real to be sure but so is the individual and the two it should be remembered is always in interaction.

MAX WEBER
(1864-1920)

A German Sociologist
Deep imprints on Sociology
Interested in Political Affairs and government
Born in a rich Protestant family
A dispute ridden family
A student of Roman Law and Roman Institutions
Rendered military services in Germany
Later on joined the vocation of teaching
HIS WORKS
The Protestant Ethics and the spirit of Capitalism
German Economic History
Max Weber on The methodology of Social Sciences
Essays on Sociology
The Theory of Social and Economic Organisation
Economy and Society an Unfinished Work
The Religion of China---The Religion of India----Ancient Judaism
Science as a Vocation and Politics as a Vocation
The City

WEBER AND HIS SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION

Wrote extensively on the subject of religion
Observed a closed connection between religion and economic forces
Concept of religion was more ethical than theological
Religion is a vital influence on everyday life
He tried to answer the one fundamental question, “to what extent the religious conceptions of the world and of existence has influenced the economic behavior of various societies”
He wanted to refute the basic theory of Marx that “all cultural phenomenon including religion is fundamentally determined by the evolution of economic forces”
Weber wanted to explain the economic behavior in terms of religion
Weber wanted to establish two main propositions in his work
1. The behavior of the man in various societies could be understood only in the context of their general conception of existence or world view. Religious dogmas and their explanation also found a part of the world views. Hence the religious outlook of the people can help one to understand the behavior of individuals and groups including their economic behavior
2.Religious conceptions are actually the determinant of economic behavior and hence one of the causes of economic change
Studied Western Capitalism and its connection with the religion
Growing faster in the Protestant societies
Weber’s hypothesis that a certain interpretation of Protestantism has created motivations favorable to the creation of capitalistic regimes
In Weberian thoughts the ethic of conviction is seen as one possible expression of the religious attitude
On the basis of his historical study Weber asserted that modern Capitalism emerged not simply by inner economic necessity but by the religious ethics of the Protestantism especially of Calvinism
Weber made an analytical study of Protestantism to establish an intellectual or spiritual affinity between the spirit of the Protestant ethics and the spirit of Capitalism.
He established a correlation between a religious way of thinking and an attitude towards economic activity
Weber tried to discover whether or to what degree in other civilizations in China, in India, in primitive Judaism, and in Islam Social conditions were favorable o unfavorable to the development of Capitalism of Western type.
Weber used the religious variable to determine and explain why Western Capitalism was not developed anywhere outside Western civilization
Key to the birth of Industrial Capitalism lay in the Protestant reformation
Industrial Capitalism was a major outcome of Calvinism, A Christian religious movement founded by John Calvin
Concept of predestination
Fate is set, people are chosen
Why shouldn’t those chosen for glory in the next world, they reasoned, see the signs of divine favor in this world
Applying rationality, Discipline, and hard work to the task
Not spending and self-indulgence according to Weber as preached in various religious doctrines is a sin
He argued that Protestants invested their savings in new technologies
Hence Religious Ethics were transformed into world ethics
This gave birth to modern Capitalism
Traditional religion in Europe taught a passive otherworldly religion

TWO WORLD VIEWS
Greatest individual contribution to Sociology
Difference between modern societies and traditional societies
Understood the power of technology
Marxs’ philosophy of materialism and Weber’s idealism
How human ideas especially beliefs and values shape human societies
Comparison of different societies at different time and place
Relied on the ideal type. An abstract statement of the essential characteristics of any social phenomenon
A way of defining a type of society in its pure form
PRE INDUSTRIALISED Societies were characterized by traditions, values, and beliefs, transferred from generation to generation

INDUSTRIALISED, CAPITALISTIC 
Societies are characterized by rationality, which is a way of thinking.

RATIONALITY
emphasize deliberate, a matter of fact, calculation of the most efficient way to accomplish a task
Sentiments, ties to the past have no place in modern societies
Weber viewed both the Industrial revolution and development of Capitalism as evidence of modern rationality
Weber viewed technology as a major force for the historical change from tradition to rationality
Some societies are eager to adopt modern technology, such societies make a breakthrough
Some societies consider technology as a threat to life and those societies remain backward
Weber considered Industrial Capitalism highly rational because capitalists try to make money in a way they can
RATIONAL SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
Distinctive social institutions
Large scale organizations
Specialised tasks
Personal discipline
Awareness of time
Technical competence
Impersonality

WEBER AND BUREAUCRACY
A significant contribution to the field of sociology
Modern organizations are large scale organizations
Based upon the powerful tool of technology
Weber’s interest in the nature of power and authority and his realization of the inevitability of rationalization in the operation of large scale modern organizations led him to establish the theory of Bureaucracy
Operation of large scale enterprise or organizations in the political, administrative and economic fields would be impossible without bureaucracy
Bureaucracy refers to an instrument that has become indispensable for the rational attainment of goals of any organization in Industrial societies
Bureaucracies can be understood as large scale formal organizations of modern society with specialized functions
Bureaucratization and Rationalization go together because bureaucracies are organized according to the rational features

FEATURES OF BUREAUCRACY

Fixed area of official jurisdiction
Governed by laws and regulations
Pyramidal clear hierarchy of authority
Administration based on written documents
Special procedures for which special training is required
Merit based officers appointed upon technical qualifications
Appointed on a full-time basis and subjected to strict discipline

Clear distinction between the private and public affairs
An established career path and promotion is governed by seniority or merit
Fixed salary according to the ranks with a pension at retirement
Orders are communicated through proper channel
Based in an office of its own and documents are maintained in files

CRITIQUE
The fundamental element of sociological investigation for Weber is “typical social action”. Social action or even a single individual is the basic unit of society. He never entangled himself with the problem of the relationship between the individual and the society.
He convincingly denied the existence of any predominant determinant of social change
He laid emphasis on rational action and stressed the role of ideas in social life

He studied the concrete social situations and processes that must form the foundation of an adequate sociological theory
He made clear the significant role of values in social life
Contributed greatly to the understanding of social causation in human affairs
He can be criticized to explain social reality in terms of individual motivation which blurred the line between sociology and psychology
He did not leave a school of followers. “In keeping with the norms of science and scholarship, he sought the truth, not the followers.

KARL MARX

European concept of laissez-faire in politics
Adam Smith’s Unseen hand
Industrial revolution – A new class of proletariat emerged
Do does not own its own instruments of production
Relied upon those with accumulated wealth--Capitalists 

HIS LIFE
Born in 1818 in Prussia/Germany
A Jew by birth Later converted to Christianity
Doctorate in Philosophy
Profession of Journalist
Died in 1883 in London

HIS WORKS
The Communist Manifesto
The Kapital Das
Poverty of Philosophy
The German Ideology
The Class Struggle in France

DIALECTICAL MATERIALISM 
Motivated by the plight of a large number of industrial workers
Marx claimed to be a scientific person rather than utopian Christian Sociologist
He thought it totally useless to preach the doctrine of cooperation
To investigate the forces that move the history itself
It is possible only through scientific investigation
Marx developed a philosophy of history
The progress of an idea is dependent upon conflict
Marx followed Hegel’s dialectic approach that progress results from the conflict of opposing force
The clash according to Marx is of material forces and ideas are the product of the material environment in which men live
In the social production men enter into definite relationships independent of their own will
The sum total of these relationships constitute the economic structure of the society
Mode of production determine the general character of the social, political and spiritual process of life
At creation stage material forces of the products come in conflict with the social forces of production
Period of social revolution
Change in the economic foundation and entire superstructure of the society
No social order ever disappears before all the productive forces for which there is a room in it have been developed and new higher relations of production never appear before the material conditions of their existence have matured in the womb of the old society

THE FUNDAMENTAL DETERMINANT
The fundamental determinant of all other developments is the forces of production
The forces of production consist of raw material, natural resources, and techniques
Forces of Production constitute the economic aspect of the society, STRUCTURE OF THE SOCIETY – The material aspect of society
While all other institutions including; Law, Political Science, Religion, Philosophy is the superstructure and non-material aspect of the society
Ideology is relative
There is no single form of government
Forces of Production determine the social relationships which in turn give rise to social classes

THE CLASS STRUGGLE
In early history cultural aspect and classes were at harmony
Then at some point technology stepped in
Emergence of different classes
Antagonism between the proletariat and capitalist classes

THE LABOUR THEORY OF VALUE
Exchange value is determined by the amount of socially useful labor
Marx excluded any effort of entrepreneur or owner
Only useful labor
Workers produce more value than wage
Difference is the profit of the owner
SURPLUS VALUE = What the worker produces – What he receives
The worker is always paid a subsistence wage
Employer owns the instruments of production
Improvement in technology, More capital is required
Bigger and fewer units of production
Unemployment will increase
 The proletariat class will swell
Decrease in the capitalist class
Revolution
Communes
Communist society.


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