Development of the Science of Sociology — A Historical View

The Birth of Sociology and its Evolution

Abstract

Sociology – a science of recent origin. Sociology as a science and particularly as a separate field of study is of recent origin. According to Prof. MacIver ‘Sociology as a more or less definite body of systematic knowledge with a distinct place and name among the family of sciences must be dated by decades rather than by centuries.’To be more exact it was in 1839 that Auguste Comte, the French philosopher and sociologist, had coined the term ‘Sociology’ and defined the scope of this social science and the methods which it should employ. Auguste Comte is, for this reason, traditionally considered to be the ‘Father of Sociology.’ He had directed his labours towards determining the nature of human society and the laws and principles underlying its growth and development.In work Course de philosophic (positive Philosophy) he had clearly pointed out the need for the creation of a distinct science of society which he first railed ‘social physics’ and later ‘sociology’ that should concern itself with an analysis and explanation of social phenomena.