Involvement in the history of the birth of sociology began with an event about a political revolution, better known as the French Revolution in 1789.
The incident saw several social science figures such as Auguste Comte, Max Weber, Karl Marx, and others express opinions as an effort to resolve it.
Until, in the end led to a definition of sociological theory in classical times.
Classical Sociological Theory
Classical sociological theory appeared for the first time as the concept of the involvement of social sciences in solving problems. The most distinctive feature of this era is that what is put forward is still universal (comprehensive) not just one concept.
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For example, for Karl Marx who argued that in the life of society there is capitalism in the economic field, which eventually led to conflict, he even argued about alienation.
In fact, Marx as an expert was quite broad, so it was on this basis that modern figures known as modern sociologists such as Ralf Dahrendorf focused again on discussing conflict.
So it’s not imaginary that sometimes in classical and modern theory there are comparisons, criticisms, or similarities between one and the other.
Figures of Classical Sociology
Specifically, until now there are at least 6 sociological figures and their theories who are considered classics. Are as follows;
- Auguste Comte with his theory of human development
- Karl Marx with capitalism
- Max Weber with the theory of social action
- Emile Durkheim with social structure
- Herbert Spencer with theological evolution
- Ibn Khaldun with changes in external and human power
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Figures of Classical Sociology and Their Theories
As an attempt to clarify the classical sociological theory and its characters as mentioned above. The following is a complete review of one by one, including;
1. Auguste Comte
Auguste Comte was a philosopher who was born on January 19, 1798 in France. He is known as someone who first pinned the term sociology. Even though in this era, Bulum sociology was found methodologically as the right science. But what is certain is that it was thanks to Comte that sociology was considered a science, for which he was eventually known as the “Father of Sociology”.
Of the many theories put forward by Comte, one of them is about human development. According to Comte, human development goes through three phases, namely theological, metaphysical, and positive. This blessing is also timeless with the nickname as a flow of positivism.
2. Karl Marx
Karl Marx is one of the experts who was introduced as a sociologist with his thoughts covering various things. For example, economics, historians, politics, sociologists, journalists and revolutionary socialists. Marx was born on May 5, 1818 in Germany.
In his thoughts on sociology, he wrote a lot about the relationship between humans and capitalism. Which Mark mentioned regarding the conflict in society with the involvement of the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. This problem was not spared from his idea of socialism which he considered the most perfect part of the government system.
As for the harsh criticism in the theory put forward by Karl Marx, this is the process of seeing society in economic terms alone, not looking at various things in the human social environment.
3. Max Weber
Max Weber is one of the classical sociologists who is widely known as the inventor of the methodology of real sociological studies. Weber was born in Germany on April 21, 1864. Apart from being known in sociology circles, he is also known in the discipline of modern state administration.
Regarding sociological theory, one of which he wrote about social action which illustrates that all forms of behavior carried out by someone in society will result in stigma or one’s views on the perpetrator. For more, read; Max Weber & Talcot Parsons Theory of Social Action
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4. Emile Durkheim
Emile Durkheim is a sociologist who was born in France on April 15, 1858. As an expert, his work is no doubt, even thanks to him, the first faculty of sociology was born at a university in Europe in 1895.
He has put forward various theories, one of which is about social structure in society. According to Durkheim, this theory is carried by a person from birth because living human life cannot be separated from its influence on society, the creator, and his family. So that every action taken will never be separated from structuralism which has the characteristics of being outside of human beings.
So basically Durkheim has a view in the meaning of social structure that a person will be able to instill the norms and values obtained from the socialization process.
5. Herbert Spencer
Herbert Spencer was a philosopher who came from England. He was born on 27 April 1820 and died on 8 December 1903 in Brighton and Hove. As a social science expert, one of the most phenomenal theories is about social evolution.
In social evolution, Spencer illustrates that human life will change for the better from time to time without the intervention of experts who only damage the order of human life itself.
Spencer again emphasized that society must be left alone with the encouragement of social institutions to try to explore various divisions and recognize several violations that undermine social order.
As a result of this view, Spencer was eventually dubbed a social Darwinist because he maintained the principles of life liberalism that he adhered to.
6. Ibn Kaldun
Ibn Kaldun is the first social science expert in the world. He was born on 27 May 1332 in Tunisia and died on 17 March 1406 in Cairo, Egypt. Ibn Kaldun’s real name was Abu Zayd ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad ibn Khaldun al-Hadrami.
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One of the most famous theories in classical sociology in its thinking is about changes in external and human power. Which in essence, humans develop from traditional societies that meet primary needs then in an effort to maintain and if after these are fulfilled humans think to live in solidarity.
So, that was the series of articles that we have written in full about the names of classical sociology figures and their short theories. Hopefully this material can provide insight and increase knowledge for all readers. Thanks,