the rise of sociology

The rise of sociology as being an intellectual discipline is directly explained by the influence of the enlightenment. The enlightenment, which is also known as the age of reason, took place between the 17th and 18th century. This time period is time period where intellectual movement originated. Between these two centuries the prominent figures of sociology emerged with classical theories that are now the foundation of sociology. These people who are now viewed as social theorist consist of but are not limited to Karl Marx, Auguste Comte, Emile Durkheim, etc. it wasn’t until the 19th century, after the enlightenment, that Comte “the father of sociology” came along and devised the term sociology and established what so many philosophers were already doing, being sociologist. The influence of the enlightenment did two things to pave the way for sociology to rise and be seen as an intellectual discipline. To begin with, it eliminated the traditional way of thinking, and second, the enlightenment allowed there to be a social evolution from a period of traditionalism to modernity.

By eliminating the traditional way of thinking, the enlightenment established the modern way society thinks. Pre-enlightenment the church decided every trivial detail about how a person should behave. During the enlightenment people like Rene Descartes and Isaac Newton emerged with a scientific method for looking at society. Descartes, a Roman Catholic, believed that

“Careful observation and clarity of expression served the pursuit of knowledge more faithfully than did blind obedience to the dogma of the Roman Catholic Church.”(Ashley,Orenstein.7)

In reaction to Descartes beliefs, the Roman Catholic Church made his writings contraband. With similar beliefs,...

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...nting to achieve a higher education never would have happened if authority was never challenged during the period of the enlightenment.

The rise of sociology as a social science and intellectual discipline is directly illuminated by the influence of the enlightenment. Without the enlightenment society never would have branched away from the dogma authority of the church. Without the enlightenment, individuals and society never would have evolved. Classical social theorist, never would have developed the fundamental ideas that are the bases of sociology. They equally contributed to crating the sociological foundation, no matter what side of the spectrum (pro-enlightenment or counter-enlightenment). It is not a coincidence that logic and understanding are not only the foundation of sociology, but the two characteristics that derived from and guided the enlightenment.