The term “sociology” was coined by the Father of Sociology, Auguste Comte, in 1838. Sociology involves examining the “strange in the familiar” and the “general in the particular” which is part of applying the Sociological Imagination and developing a “quality of mind” and an ability to debunk (Ravelli & Webber, 2010). Sociology students are introduced to French Sociologist Auguste Compte, who is well known for his Law of Three Stages, Which defines how advances of the mind created three different types of societies:
1. The theological stage: a religious outlook that explains the world and human society as an expression of God’s will and views science as means to discover god’s intentions. During this stage, people would explain what they could see through the actions of spiritual or supernatural beings, such as the sun God and moon God.
2. Metaphysical stage: ( beyond physics): dedicated to an understanding of truth and the relationship between mind and matter; people questioned the church teachings and power structures; assumed people could understand and explain their universe through their own insight and reflection. This led to the renaissance and later enlgithment era where science, not religion was applied to understanding the world. While exploring what it meant to be a conscious being, people attempted to comprehend their world through abstractions, such as emotion and beauty. Artists, musicians and poets applied their creativity to express how they viewed the world.
3. Positive Stage: Compte believed the world would be interpreted through a scientific lens. This meant that society would would be guided by rules of observation, experimentation and logic. He referred to the science of society as sociology (Ravelli & Webber, 2010).
In addition to being the founder of “positivism”, the word “altruism” (French, altruisme, from autrui: “other people”, derived from Latin alter: “other”) was coined by Auguste Comte, (Wikipedia) in order to describe the ethical doctrine he supported. He believed that individuals had a moral obligation to renounce self-interest and live for others. Comte says, in his Catechisme Positiviste [1], that:
[The] social point of view cannot tolerate the notion of rights, for such notion rests on individualism. We are born under a load of obligations of every kind, to our predecessors, to our successors, to our contemporaries. After our birth these obligations increase or accumulate, for it is some time before we can return any service…. This [“to live for others”], the definitive formula of human morality, gives a direct sanction exclusively to our instincts of benevolence, the common source of happiness and duty. [Man must serve] Humanity, whose we are entirely.”Altruism” is an ethical doctrine that holds that individuals have a moral obligation to help, serve, or benefit others, if necessary at the sacrifice of self interest. Auguste Comte‘s version of altruism calls for living for the sake of others. One who holds to either of these ethics is known as an “altruist.”The ethical doctrine of altruism has also been called the ethic of altruism, moralistic altruism, and ethical altruism (wikipedia). Altruism is the foundation of becoming a good Sociologist.
What makes a Good Sociologist? (Lindsey, Beach & Ravelli, 2006, P.24)
1. Standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves
2. Appreciating and supporting human diversity in all its rich and wonderful forms
3. Being humble-realizing that every person you meet has something to teach, if you are willing to learn
4. Living your life with equal parts passion and compassion
5. Leaving this world in better condition than we found it.
Being a good Sociologist promotes “social justice.”Social Justice: Plato’s “The Republic” addresses social justice and what a just person is. He states that justice is “not the disproportionate use of happiness of any one class, but the greatest happiness of the whole” (Lindsey, Beach & Ravelli, 2006, P.24). As a Social Scientist, I acknowledge the influence of Mass Media and the value of research in promoting social justice. Additionally, I am aware of the important role that education and health care plays in a person’s socialization. Some pages will give examples of my research and work within the media, education and health care.
References
Ravelli, B. & Webber, M. 2010, Exploring Sociology. Toronto, ON: Pearson Canada, Inc.
Lindsey, L.; Beach, S.; Ravelli, B. (2006) Core Concepts in Sociology. Toronto, ON: Pearson Prentice Hall.